Assessment of digital technology adoption for cultural heritage preservation in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The study explores the impact of technology on the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Southwest Nigeria. This study used a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative and quantitative methods to gather comprehensive data. The qualitative data collection involved structured interviews and observation checklists, with twenty-four (24) respondents providing in-depth insights into their practical experiences, successes, and challenges. For the quantitative data, a stratified random sample of 340 participants was selected, and a 70% response rate yielded 238 completed questionnaires. These quantitative data were meticulously analysed using SPSS, presenting the results in detailed tables and charts. The findings of this study reveal that 95% of respondents perceive the adoption rate of digital preservation methods as slow, hindered by notable obstacles including funding constraints, technical inadequacies, cultural resistance, language and content localisation issues, infrastructural deficits, intellectual property (IP) and legal ambiguities, bureaucratic impediments, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite these challenges, 75% of respondents acknowledged the benefits of digital preservation, including enhanced accessibility, meticulous documentation, increased public engagement, robust disaster recovery, sustained social identity, and community empowerment. Findings also recall that in spite of the potential benefits of digital preservation, 25% of respondents raised concerns regarding the potential erosion of cultural authenticity, citing diminished tourism to physical heritage sites and the loss of intangible cultural experiences that cannot be replicated digitally. The study concludes that targeted interventions are necessary to address the challenges and potential adverse effects associated with implementing digital technology in cultural heritage preservation.