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.

Dr. Joan-Mary I. Ogiogwa

Project Lead / Founder

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.

Mr. Oladipo Adeniyi Alafiatayo

Director of Heritage Diplomacy and Strategic Partnerships

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.

Dr. Abu Solomon Edet

Director of Conservation Standards and Exhibition Strategy

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.

Hillary-Frances Gwani

Project Manager

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.

Mr. Peter Agu Odey

Principal Photography and Object Documentation Officer

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.

Mr. Yinka Olajubu

Digital Archivist / Head of Digital Experience

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. Amos Olorunipa

Lead, Oral History and Community Engagement

A fluent Yoruba speaker and oral historian with a Ph.D., Dr. Olorunipa 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.

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.