LEVERAGING INNOVATIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN POST-COVID-19 ERA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This article focuses on leveraging innovative digital technologies for indigenous knowledge management in post COVID-19 era, and its implications for sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria. It used documentary sources and observation as sources of data. It defines digital technologies as electronic tools, systems, devices and resources that generate, store or process data and information. It describes indigenous knowledge as a body of knowledge and skills from indigenous people, developed outside the formal educational system. Such knowledge offers advantages such as being very crucial for sustainable agriculture and food security; efficiency, without depleting the natural resources and the environment. The paper notes that COVID-19 left a devastating impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria. It identifies innovative digital technologies that can be adopted for indigenous knowledge management as digital video, camera and audio recorders, RADIO Frequency Identification, RFID technologies, 3D scanners, internet connectivity, databases, computers, smart phones, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These technologies offer advantages such as indigenous knowledge control, intellectual rights protection, accessibility and reuse of indigenous resources, and prevention of the misuse of indigenous heritage. However, challenges such as fear of loss of intellectual property rights, lack of government support and recognition of indigenous knowledge, inadequate infrastructure, etc, have affected the management of indigenous knowledge with digital technologies. The paper recommends the provision of government policy on indigenous knowledge, incorporation of digital methods of managing indigenous knowledge into modern information disciplines’ curriculum and practice, creation of indigenous knowledge management centres across LGAs in the country among other measures to address the challenges identified.