FUTA INTEDH Marks International Mother Language Day with ASA Culture Showcase

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) came alive on 21 February 2026 as the Institute for Technology Enhanced Learning and Digital Humanities (INTEDH) celebrated International Mother Language Day through its vibrant ASA Culture Showcase.

The event, held at the Learning Centre of the School of General Studies, united scholars, students, and cultural advocates to emphasize the preservation of Nigeria’s indigenous languages and cultural heritage within a technology-driven academic space.

International Mother Language Day, observed globally on 21 February, highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and the protection of endangered languages. In her welcome address, Professor Titi Fola-Adebayo, Director of INTEDH, described ASA Culture Day as a platform to showcase traditional attire, encourage the use of indigenous languages in education and daily life, and integrate cultural assets into modern development. She stressed that language and culture are central to peace, inclusion, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Femi Barnabas, praised INTEDH for demonstrating that cultural awareness and scientific advancement are complementary. He encouraged scholars and students to adopt interdisciplinary methods that integrate cultural studies with technological research. Similarly, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, Director of Corporate Communications and Protocol, emphasized that understanding and practicing one’s culture is essential for its preservation, urging participants to communicate and uphold cultural heritage intentionally.

Facilitators including Professors Marcel Oyibor and Moses Aderibigbe, Drs. Tayo Eegunlesi, Kemi Adebola, Funmi Oguntade, Grace Alofun, Tochukwu Ezeugo, Yemisi Adebomi, Oluchi Okere, Nifemi Bamidele-Nelly, and Chief Pius Okankiri emphasized that technology should support the documentation, preservation, and transmission of indigenous knowledge. They highlighted the power of digital platforms for archiving languages, promoting storytelling, and bridging communication gaps, stressing that culture and language are foundational to identity, community cohesion, and intergenerational continuity.

The showcase featured poetry recitations and indigenous music performances in various Nigerian languages, reinforcing the link between cultural practice and academic discourse. Participants were reminded that cultural erosion threatens communal memory and social cohesion, and deliberate efforts are needed to safeguard Nigeria’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

INTEDH concluded the event by reaffirming its commitment to initiatives that defend, preserve, and promote Nigeria’s cultural and linguistic wealth, while advancing the frontiers of science and technology within the University. The ASA Culture Showcase successfully demonstrated that the intersection of culture, science, and technology can foster a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking academic environment.