Project Planning for Yoruba Oral History Documentation in Taraba State Yoruba Communities

Yoruba communities in Taraba State, North East Nigeria, possess rich oral histories that document their migration patterns, cultural practices, and inter-community relations, yet these histories have received no systematic documentation or archival treatment. This study develops a project planning framework for Yoruba oral history documentation in Taraba State. Using a professional project management approach informed by primary data collection from community leaders and cultural custodians in Wukari, Jalingo, and Bali local government areas, the study identifies stakeholder requirements, resource needs, documentation scope, and implementation challenges specific to the Taraba context. The study applies project management methodology, specifically the PMBOK framework, alongside oral history collection best practices to develop a structured project plan. Existing literature on Nigerian oral history documentation has focused on communities in the South and North Central zones, with documentation projects targeting Yoruba communities in the Northeast being absent from the professional practice literature. This study addresses that gap with a context-specific planning contribution. The research evaluates the availability of qualified field researchers, appropriate recording technologies, community consent frameworks, and archival institutional partnerships necessary for a successful documentation project. Findings are expected to identify significant logistical and security constraints specific to the Taraba context and propose mitigation strategies within the project plan. Recommendations will produce a draft project charter and work breakdown structure for adoption by cultural institutions or non-governmental organisations planning oral history documentation in Taraba. Keywords: project planning, oral history, Yoruba communities, Taraba State, documentation management.