Background & Relevance

At Archiving, one of our next big steps is to document oral histories and documentaries—stories that capture the personal, community, and national experiences that have shaped Nigeria’s past and present.

Why is this important? Nigeria is incredibly diverse, with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. For generations, our history has been passed down orally—through stories, proverbs, songs, and personal experiences. But today, these narratives are at risk. As globalization and urbanization change how we live and communicate, we risk losing this vast wealth of knowledge if it’s not documented and preserved.

In Nigeria, where resources for historical preservation are limited, Archivi.ng is ready to:

Capture diverse voices—including those of women, youth, rural communities, and conflict survivors.

Engage the public through storytelling events, exhibitions, and digital platforms.

Influence policy by making sure these stories are part of national conversations about education, culture, and identity.

This would not just not be one of our many archives— we anticipate that it remains as a living resource that grows, adapts, and continues to shape Nigeria’s cultural landscape. It’s a strategic step towards fulfilling our mission at Archivi.ng: preserving Nigeria’s past to inspire its future.

The vision here is to continue making these oral histories accessible to all, to inform and spark conversations about who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed as a nation.

Overarching Goal and Key Objectives

Goal: To document and archive 10,000 hours of high-quality oral histories and documentaries, ensuring Nigeria’s diverse histories are preserved and accessible for academic, cultural, and creative uses.

We’re approaching this with a few key objectives:

• Capture diverse narratives across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to reflect the country’s rich cultural and social fabric.
• Produce high-quality digital recordings that meet international standards for publishing and archiving.
• Make these stories accessible by building a well-organized, open-access digital repository.
• Collaborate with communities and historians to co-create narratives that genuinely reflect local experiences and perspectives.
• Build strategic partnerships with private and public institutions, cultural organizations, and media platforms to amplify the impact of this project.

Key Considerations

To do this well, the team needs to consider a few things :