Maximizing Vocational Potentials of Palm Kernel Oil: A Changing Phase of Yoruba Culture for Economic Development

Abstract

Yoruba culture, like other African cultures, is in a period of transition where indigenous products are no longer being looked down upon, but their potentials are being utilised and harnessed for economic and commercial purposes. People all over the world now seize the potential in the indigenous products to improve economic development. One of such indigenous products is Palm Kernel oil called àdí in Yorùbá. This study explores and discloses the economic potentials of palm-kernel oil in Yorùbá society with the hope to attract the foreign and local investors in the sector for economic progress. The study utilised qualitative data collection after obtaining data from resource people in Apòmù town in O ̣̀ṣun state through interviews and participant’s observation and subject the data to qualitative analytical approach. Grounded on cultural theory, the study found that, palm kernel oil is of diverse varieties instead of overgeneralisation of all of them as àdí èkùro ̣́ (PKO) and each of them has economic, health, commercial, religious and cosmetic relevance in the family and society. The study recommends massive investment of the local and foreign investors in this area and charge the graduates to open economic potentials of palm-kernel oil that will ensure the productivity of sophisticated machines into the sector that will maximise Nigeria economy and improved standard of living.