Osogbo, Nigeria – Fountain University, Osogbo, will on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, hold the latest edition of its annual Siyan Oyeweso Cultural Day, an event that has become a fixture on the university’s academic calendar. Organised by the College of Arts and Education, the event will take place at the Eti-Osa Lecture Theatre on campus, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The 2025 edition is themed, “Preserving Heritage, Celebrating Identity: The Interplay of Islam and Culture in Our Shared Tradition.” It is expected to provide a platform for students and scholars to reflect on the long-standing interaction between Islamic values and indigenous cultural traditions, particularly in the Nigerian context. In a time where cultural disconnection and religious misinterpretations are growing concerns, the event seeks to foreground shared values and the potential for cultural practices and faith to coexist productively.
Unlike many university cultural days which focus primarily on aesthetic displays, the Siyan Oyeweso Cultural Day is known for balancing performance with critical engagement. This year’s edition will explore how Islamic ethical frameworks have historically intersected with, and in many cases reinforced, traditional customs in areas such as family life, moral conduct, language, and social organisation.
Named after Professor Siyan Oyeweso, a respected historian and public intellectual, the cultural day recognises the role of scholarship in preserving cultural memory and advancing national identity. The event is not only a celebration of culture but also a space for examining the intellectual heritage and socio-religious complexities of Nigerian communities.
The Vice Chancellor of Fountain University, Professor Olayinka Ramota Karim, will serve as Chief Host, and is expected to deliver remarks that reflect the university’s commitment to producing graduates who are culturally grounded and ethically conscious. The event will be hosted by Professor Serifat Olubunmi Labo-Popoola, Dean of the College of Arts and Education, whose faculty has been at the forefront of promoting indigenous knowledge and identity studies.
Activities planned for the day include dramatic reenactments of historical and folktale narratives, cultural music and dance presentations, creative public speaking in indigenous languages, and a live exhibition of traditional artefacts, attire, and tools. A highlight of the event will be a traditional dress parade and an award presentation for the most authentic cultural representation.
According to the organisers, these segments are not merely entertainment, but serve as educational experiences that reinforce classroom learning with lived cultural expression. They reflect the university’s understanding of culture as both an academic subject and a vital element of everyday life.
Since its establishment, the Siyan Oyeweso Cultural Day has offered a unique blend of academic discourse and cultural immersion. It aims to address growing concerns around the loss of language, weakening of traditional values, and the challenges posed by globalisation, especially among Nigerian youth.
At a time when universities are increasingly asked to produce globally competitive graduates, Fountain University continues to emphasise the importance of identity, cultural literacy, and historical continuity. By focusing on the interface between Islam and culture, the event offers a model for fostering understanding and shared purpose in a plural society.