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Nigerian Archivist Takes Global Stage With Appointment on ICA Executive Committee
Yinka Olatunbosun
Nigeria has scored a major cultural milestone as esteemed archivist, historian, and curator Dr. Oludamola Adebowale has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the International Council on Archives (ICA) Section on Archives of Literature and Art (SLA) for the 2025鈥2029 term. The appointment places Nigeria at the center of global conversations on the preservation, accessibility, and advancement of literary and artistic heritage.
The SLA Executive Committee鈥攎ade up of experts from some of the world鈥檚 most influential archival institutions鈥攚ill steer global policies, scholarly initiatives, cross-border collaborations, and the development of ethical archival practices for the next four years. Dr. Ad茅b峄嵦w谩l茅, who joined the International Council on Archives (ICA) several years ago and remains an active member, now represents Nigeria on this prestigious global platform.
A strategic win for Nigeria鈥檚 archival sector, Dr. Ad茅b峄嵦w谩l茅鈥檚 inclusion on the committee is expected to significantly elevate Nigeria鈥檚 archival ecosystem. His contribution will help in
strengthening Nigeria鈥檚 visibility and influence within global cultural heritage networks; expand international collaborations that support digitization, preservation training, and institutional partnerships.
In addition, Adebowale鈥檚 appointment will help position Nigerian literary and artistic archives within major global research platforms and scholarly discussions and advocate for the inclusion of African narratives, languages, and histories within international archival standards.
His appointment arrives at a crucial time as Nigeria intensifies efforts to document its creative and historical heritage, from literature and visual arts to cultural memory and born-digital collections.
A Distinguished Global Committee, the 2025鈥2029 SLA Executive Committee includes: Heather Dean (Canada)- Chair, Section on Archives of Literature and Art; Dr. Andr茅 Derval (France), Dr. Heidi Egginton (Scotland), Dr. Sebastian Gurciullo (Australia), Sandrine Gu茅rin (USA), Catherine Hobbs (Canada), Dr. David Sutton (UK), Yayoi Tsutsui (Japan) and Elisabetta Zonca (Switzerland).
This diverse cohort will guide major initiatives such as virtual global events, training programs, collaborative research networks, and the expansion of the World-Wide Directory of Repositories Holding Archives of Literature and Art鈥攐ne of SLA鈥檚 most important international resources.
As part of the Executive Committee, Dr. Ad茅b峄嵦w谩l茅 will contribute to shaping the future of archival practice worldwide, with responsibilities that include: supporting global standards for literary and artistic archives; enhancing multilingual and inclusive metadata systems; strengthening ethical and sustainable archival practices; engaging in cross-continental research and digital innovation projects as well as ensuring broader representation of African creative archives on the global stage.
Dr. Oludamola Adebowale, known for his pioneering work in historical preservation, serves as Senior Curator with the Nigeria-Brazilian Public History Project and is the founder of ASIRI Magazine. He is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK), a prominent cultural strategist, and curator of landmark exhibitions including Wole Soyinka: Timeless Memories and the British Council 75th Anniversary Virtual Exhibition. His innovative projects鈥攕uch as the 1851 Agidingbi Historical Chess Game鈥攃ontinue to shape Nigeria鈥檚 evolving narrative culture.
Dr. Adebowale鈥檚 appointment reinforces the rising global significance of African archivists and solidifies Nigeria鈥檚 growing leadership in cultural memory, preservation, and archival innovation.
