INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A PROTOTYPE FOR ADOPTION

Abstract

This paper discusses indigenous knowledge management for sustainable development in Nigeria, 
using Nonaka‟s Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization (SECI) model as 
a prototype for adoption. Indigenous knowledge (IK) popularly known as traditional knowledge 
has its numerous benefits, with a high capability of contributing positively to sustainable 
development in Nigeria if it is rightly utilized and applied to diverse situations. This paper 
discusses the categories of IK, benefits of IK, and knowledge management procedures in 
managing IK, among others. It also identified some challenges limiting the use and application of 
IK such as low recognition of IK, lack of IK policy, and hi unwillingness on the part of the 
custodians to share IK among others. As concluded in this paper, Nonaka‟s SECI model should 
be adopted in promoting a viable and feasible solution to the numerous problems affecting the 
proper management of IK and scientific knowledge (SK) in Nigeria. The adoption of this model 
would help to improve the capturing, sharing, and utilization of indigenous and scientific 
knowledge in local and non-local communities in Nigeria. Also, this model will also help in 
bringing out striking areas of differences and similarities in the application of IK and SK; 
thereby promoting sustainable development rather than segregating one as inferior to the other.