Digital Cultural Heritage and Perceptions of Indigenous Institutions in Southeast Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of Engagement, Governance Legitimacy, and Leadership Confidence
Simeon N. Duruji
*
Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Nigeria.
Chinyere R. Onyenze
Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Nigeria.
Joshua O. Onwuliri
Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Nigeria.
Ngozi Caroline Ogbuehi
Department of Political Science, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This cross-sectional survey examined associations between digital cultural heritage (DCH), sacred-institution engagement (SIE), perceived indigenous-governance legitimacy (IGL), and confidence in culturally grounded leadership (CCL) in Southeast Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 472 respondents from six stakeholder categories across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. Cronbach's α values for the four scales ranged from .86 to .93. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and three separate simple linear regressions were reported. DCH was positively associated with SIE (r = .621, p < .001; R² = .386), IGL (r = .487, p < .001; R² = .237), and CCL (r = .553, p < .001; R² = .306). These estimates represent unadjusted associations among surveyed stakeholders, not causal effects. The findings suggest that digital cultural heritage merits consideration as a context for institutional engagement and perceptions of customary governance. Community participation and control over culturally sensitive information remain important considerations for heritage policy and practice.
Keywords: Digital cultural heritage, sacred-institution engagement, indigenous governance, institutional legitimacy, culturally grounded leadership, Southeast Nigeria