Femi Olanrewaju

Femi Olanrewaju

Junior Research Associate & FEF "Alternative Archives" Coordinator

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I am a multidisciplinary professional with expertise in landscape architecture, architecture, and cultural heritage preservation. I hold a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree in Architecture from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. My unpublished thesis, Conservation of a Cultural Landscape: A Case Study of Osun Grove, focused on managing and preserving cultural landscapes using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), provided me with a strong foundation in heritage conservation.

This expertise facilitated my role as the Project Coordinator for the Religious Architectural Heritage of Ibadan, one of the components of the Nigerian Heritage Digitisation Program, a project funded by the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI) under IFRA-Nigeria. In this role, I led the digitization and contextualization of Ibadan’s religious architectural heritage, resulting in a public exhibition at the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan. My works examine how Yoruba Isese (traditional religion) influences architectural forms, spatial organization, and the ritual and communal functions of these space, an area I intend to explore further in my doctoral research.

Additionally, I am one of the coordinators of the Nigerian Alternative Heritages Initiative, funded by the French Embassy Fund (FEF), at the New Culture Studio in Ibadan. This project focuses on preservation of the legacy of Demas Nwoko, a visionary artist-architect whose extensive works face the risk of deterioration. This initiative promotes research, cultural activities, and academic projects that explore the intersections of art, architecture, digital humanities, and Nigerian heritage at the New Culture Studio, Ibadan. We aim to safeguard his legacy and inspire future generations of scholars, artists, and creators.

My work is driven by a commitment to cultural preservation, digital heritage, and the exploration of indigenous knowledge systems. I am passionate about leveraging technology to document, conserve, and share Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage with a global audience.

publications

(to be published), Femi Olanrewaju, Yoruba Traditional Religious Canvass of Ibadan hinterland. Lagos Studies Association Conference paper.