Baze University, Abuja, founder Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has announced a N25 million grant to support academic research into indigenous calendar systems. The pledge was made on Tuesday during the university's seventh inaugural lecture delivered by Vice-Chancellor Professor Abiodun Adeniyi at the university campus in Abuja.
The announcement followed a speech by the Obaro of Kabba, Solomon Awoniyi, who revealed the existence of a unique calendar system used by his kingdom. The traditional ruler wished the audience a happy new year, explaining it is a new year in his kingdom's calendar.
"Our own January is in the month of June. Our own new year and festival starts today. That's why I am saying happy new year to everybody," the traditional ruler said at the beginning of his address.
Significant Intellectual Discovery
Mr Baba-Ahmed expressed surprise that such a tradition exists in Nigeria, describing it as a significant intellectual discovery with implications for the country's cultural and historical heritage.
"If there is anything I got from this lecture, in fact, in a very long time, it is to discover that there is a Nigerian culture that has a calendar. This is huge," Mr Baba-Ahmed said. "I am blown away by the fact that there is a Nigerian culture that has a calendar. Do you know how important this is?"
He compared the discovery to the well-known calendar systems of ancient civilisations such as the Maya, Aztec, Inca, Chinese, and Indian calendars. He noted that Nigeria has not done enough to document and promote its indigenous knowledge systems.
Funding for Research
Mr Baba-Ahmed announced that anyone interested in conducting research on the subject would be eligible to apply for funding. "There is a Nigerian culture that has a calendar, and we have been quiet about it. Baze University will not allow this to remain untouched. I am opening the floodgates. Whoever wishes to research into the Nigerian calendar, I have dedicated N25 million for this."
The founder emphasised the importance of universities as centres of intellectual inquiry, stating that academic discourse remains critical to uncovering knowledge that can contribute to national development.
Inaugural Lecture Details
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Professor Abiodun Adeniyi presented the inaugural lecture titled "How Your Village Is Following You: Mobility, Memory, and the Mediated Persistence of Belonging." He explored how technological advancement and digital communication have transformed migration, leaving people connected to their indigenous communities regardless of where they live.
According to him, migration in the digital age no longer represents a complete departure from one's roots, as people remain constantly connected to their families, communities, and cultural identities through digital platforms even after migrating. He called for regulation and ethical safeguards to improve security and governance in digital spaces.
About the Lecturer
Professor Adeniyi's career spans journalism, academia, consultancy, and public engagement. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Ahmadu Bello University and earned a master's degree in International Communications from the University of Leeds, England, through the Chevening Scholarship. He later obtained a doctorate from the same university, where he also served as a teaching assistant at the Institute of Communication Studies.
He previously worked as a communications consultant for the World Bank-supported Economic Reform and Governance Project at the Bureau of Public Procurement in Abuja. Professor Adeniyi joined Baze University as a senior lecturer in Mass Communication and served as head of department from 2016 to 2023. He became an associate professor in 2018 and attained the rank of professor in 2021. He is also a visiting professor at Kogi State University, Anyigba, and the University of Abuja.
