By Deborah Idowu
In a significant move to blend technology with cultural preservation, the University of Ibadan (UI) recently launched the KoEde Mobile Application, aimed at promoting the Yoruba language among younger generations.
This launch was part of the 2nd Annual Symposium of the Human-Computer Interaction for Development Association of Computer Machinery, held at the University of Ibadan and co-hosted with Bowen University, Iwo.
According to a post shared on UI’s official Facebook page by the Directorate of Public Communication, the symposium highlighted the university’s ongoing commitment to fostering research and dialogue that address Africa’s unique challenges.
Professor Olumuyiwa Omobowale, Director of Special Duties at UI, spoke on behalf of Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, the Vice-Chancellor. He highlighted the university’s commitment to fostering research and dialogue that address the unique challenges facing Africa.
Professor Omobowale emphasised the growing importance of technology in reshaping education, healthcare, governance, and cultural expression, noting that computers are no longer just tools for computation but extensions of human thought and gateways to boundless knowledge.
At the heart of the symposium was the KoEde Mobile Application, which stands as a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to preserve cultural heritage. Designed to teach the Yoruba language, the app offers an interactive and engaging platform for learners, featuring gamified elements and exercises tailored to various proficiency levels.
The app’s developers have successfully merged modern educational techniques with cultural preservation, demonstrating how digital solutions can address the urgent need to keep indigenous languages alive in the digital age.
Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, commended the developers of the app, calling it a “remarkable problem-solving initiative.” He noted that the app was a vital contribution to preserving Yoruba culture and language for future generations.
Professor Adenike Osofisan, the first female Professor of Computer Studies in Africa, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of the project in safeguarding the Yoruba language and promoting cultural pride.
In her remarks, Dr Aderonke B. Sakpere, the Principal Investigator and Team Lead of the KoEde project, explained that the app was born out of a concern that the younger generation of Yoruba speakers was losing touch with their heritage.
The app’s features include interactive puzzles, sentence formation exercises, and touch-and-drag activities, designed to make learning both enjoyable and educational. With levels ranging from beginner to expert, the app adapts to the needs of each user, ensuring an engaging experience for learners of all ages.
Developed in collaboration with the Yoruba Language Centre at UI and funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, a German-based foundation dedicated to advancing education, the KoEde app serves as a bridge between modern technology and traditional language learning.
Dr Sakpere highlighted the app’s ability to engage users through gamification and constructive pedagogy, making it more than just an educational tool, it’s a fun and interactive way to learn an essential part of cultural heritage.
The launch of the KoEde Mobile Application marks a significant milestone in the efforts to preserve and promote the Yoruba language, offering a model for how technology can play a pivotal role in maintaining cultural identity.
