Emmanuel Daraloye Honoured At University Of Ibadan’s Black History Celebration
•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
IBADAN – Nigeria-based music journalist, Emmanuel Daraloye, has been honoured by the Department of History, University of Ibadan, during its annual Black History Celebration.
Daraloye received a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his “remarkable contributions to the celebration and preservation of Black history and culture.”
The event, held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Small Lecture Theatre (SLT), Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, attracted several dignitaries, including Professor Ademola Ajayi, Dr. Taariqa-Rahamat Ilupeju, Mrs. Pamela Otuka Oriyimi, Mr. Jamiu Yekini Oyeniyi, and Mr. David Adejumo, among others.
Earlier, Daraloye featured as a panelist in a session themed “Reclaiming African Cultural Heritage as a Weapon Against Social Decay in Contemporary Nigeria.”
During the discussion, he emphasized the importance of using music as a tool for social reform, drawing from his childhood experiences.
“While growing up with my grandparents in Ipele, I was exposed to African folklore and poetry. Those stories carried deep moral lessons,” he said. “In addressing the social decay we face today, we must leverage music to embed social lessons and cultural values — it’s very important.”
When asked if Nigeria’s music industry is doing enough in this regard, the Senior Music Critic at Afrocritik, a U.S.-based media platform, said, “The music industry consists of various forces. While some artistes focus on pop sounds, others use their music to reflect social change. They are didactic in their art, but there’s still room for improvement.”
Adeosun Silver, president of the Department of History’s student association, praised Daraloye for his insightful contributions during the panel session, describing his participation as “impactful and inspiring.”
Daraloye, who recently joined Premium Times as a writer, continues to solidify his reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading music critics. He has published widely on Nigerian popular music and culture, including analyses on the decline of Fuji music and recommendations for its revival.
In 2024, he collaborated with the University of Ibadan Press Club (Indy Press) to establish an internship programme for budding music critics. Earlier in February 2025, he was named among Nigeria’s Top 10 Culture Writers.