Revitalising Yoruba morality: A call for indigenous educational integration

By: Akin Yewande

In a time when the fabric of moral values in Yoruba society faces significant degradation, the work of Babalola Abiodun Emmanuel stands as a beacon of hope. His latest study, Cultural Ecology: Morality in Focus in Indigenous Education as a Necessity in Contemporary Yoruba Society, is a timely scholarly intervention that reaffirms the imperative of early childhood moral development within the Yoruba cultural framework.

Emmanuel, a distinguished scholar and PhD student at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, delves into the essence of traditional Yoruba moral values—love, honesty, integrity, contentment, and respect—and contrasts them with the prevailing erosion of these virtues in contemporary times. His research, rooted in qualitative phenomenological analysis, draws on insights from Yoruba cultural experts who lament the decline of morality and emphasize the urgency of reinstating these values through structured educational reforms.

The study highlights a troubling shift: once revered virtues that shaped the Omoluabi ethos are now being overshadowed by social vices such as cyber fraud, materialism, and disrespect for authority. The participants in Emmanuel’s research express a shared concern that modern societal structures no longer prioritise character formation, leaving a void that has been filled by negative influences. However, his work does not merely diagnose the problem—it offers a pathway to restoration.

One of the key takeaways from this groundbreaking study is the call for integrating traditional Yoruba moral education into contemporary curricula. The paper advocates for storytelling, proverbs, folklores, riddles and other indigenous pedagogical tools to be revitalised and systematically included in Nigeria’s formal education system. Such an approach, Emmanuel argues, will not only preserve cultural identity but also equip young learners with the moral compass necessary for nation-building.

READ ALSO: My govt will support Soludo to actualise his vision for Anambra – Tinubu

Furthermore, the study proposes that digitising these cultural practices through mobile apps and educational games could make them more accessible to the younger generation, bridging the gap between tradition and modernity. The urgency of this proposition cannot be overstated—without proactive measures, the erosion of Yoruba values will continue unabated.

As a columnist and advocate for educational advancement, I commend Emmanuel for his dedication to preserving Yoruba heritage through scholarly inquiry. His work is a clarion call for policymakers, educators, and community leaders to rethink how we impart moral values to our children. If we are to reclaim the moral strength that once defined Yoruba society, then we must heed his recommendations and act decisively.

The time for action is now. Let us embrace indigenous knowledge systems and infuse them into our educational framework, ensuring that the principles of Omoluabi endure for generations to come.

Yewande writes via akinyewande@gmail.com