Our Expert Team
Meet the dedicated professionals bringing decades of experience in heritage preservation, museum development, and cultural research to the Royal History Museum of Oyo State.
Meet the Team
Dr. Joan-Mary I. Ogiogwa
Heritage specialist, archaeologist, museum consultant, heritage researcher and cultural resource manager with over 20 years of experience in Nigeria's museum and heritage sector. With a Ph.D. in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management, Dr. Ogiogwa provides strategic vision and leads the establishment of this groundbreaking museum.
Dr. Amos Olorunnipa
A fluent Yoruba speaker and oral historian with a Ph.D., Dr. Olorunnipa facilitates cultural access and community trust. He leads interviews with monarchs and elders, oversees respectful documentation of traditions, and maintains ongoing relationships with local communities to ensure continuity and co-ownership of heritage narratives.
Mr. Yinka Olajugbu
A digital media expert with strong competencies in archive design, platform development, and virtual heritage tools. He leads the digitization strategy, platform usability, metadata tagging, and future integration of AR/VR features. He ensures that the museum's digital experience remains accessible, secure, and scalable.
Dr. Abu Solomon Edet
A veteran museum conservator trained in the UK, Italy, and Japan, Dr. Edet leads the ethical preservation, exhibition design, and digitization of royal heritage. His international and academic background anchors our exhibition in technical excellence.
Mr. Oladipo Adeniyi Alafiatayo
A cultural strategist and retired Deputy Director at NCMM, Mr. Alafiatayo brings decades of experience in institutional heritage work and diplomacy. He leads stakeholder engagement, MoUs, and global partnerships, ensuring alignment with national and international cultural frameworks.
Mr. Peter Agu Odey
A retired Director of Museums with over three decades of experience in curatorship, artifact documentation, and training. Mr. Odey has served across several national museums and led the Museum Studies Department at IAMS Jos. He brings deep field knowledge, technical documentation expertise, and ICCROM training.
Hillary-Frances Gwani
A cultural program coordinator with strengths in community development and project delivery. Hillary-Frances brings structure to project timelines, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and public visibility. She is currently studying Museum Studies and Cultural Project Management.
Our Collective Expertise
Together, our team brings a comprehensive range of skills essential for documenting, preserving, and sharing Yoruba royal heritage with the world.
Academic Excellence
Ph.D.-level expertise in archaeology, cultural studies, and heritage management
Field Experience
Decades of hands-on experience in museums, cultural institutions, and community work
Technical Skills
Advanced documentation, digitization, and virtual exhibition development capabilities
Community Trust
Deep relationships with traditional rulers and local communities across Oyo State
Echoes of Heritage Foundation
Our team operates under the auspices of the Echoes of Heritage Foundation, a registered non-governmental organization committed to preserving African cultural heritage through innovative research, documentation, and community engagement.
Our Mission
To bridge the gap between traditional heritage and modern preservation techniques, ensuring that the rich cultural legacy of African peoples is documented, celebrated, and accessible to future generations.
Our Approach
We combine academic rigor with community-centered methodologies, ensuring that our work is both scholarly sound and respectful of the living traditions we document.