TITUS, OLUSEGUN STEPHEN

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TITUS, OLUSEGUN STEPHEN

Full name (Surname first): TITUS, OLUSEGUN STEPHEN

Department:  MUSIC

Rank:  READER/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Phone number: 08066246049

Email address(es): ostitus@oauife.edu.ng

Office Address: ROOM 212, SCHOOL OF MUSIC BUILDING, OAU, ILE-IFE

ORCID iD:

Academic Qualifications:

N.C.E. (MUSIC-EDUCATION- F CE OKENE) 1997

B.A. HONS MUSIC- (UNN) 2000

M.A. MUSIC – 2006 (UNN)

PHD.-  AFRICAN MUSICOLOGY- 2013  (UNVERSITY OF IBADAN)

Areas of Specialization:

ECOMUSICOLOGY

MEDICAL MUSICOLOGY

MUSIC AND /IN PEACEBUILING

CULTURAL /PERFORMANCE STUDIES

Title of M.A. Thesis:

Titus, O. S. (2006). The Place of Efik Folk Songs in Children Education in Selected Schools in Calabar, Cross River State. Master’s Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Music, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Title of Ph.D. Thesis:

Titus O. S. (2013). Structure and Function of Iregun Music in Yagbaland, Kogi State, Nigeria. PhD Thesis Submitted to the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Fellowships (If any): 

FELLOWSHIP

  1. Senior Research Fellow, UNESCO-Non-Residential-Virtual          2024-2025
  2. Senior Research Associate, affiliate- Fine Art Depart, Rhodes Uni. S. Africa (2023-2025)
  3. Fellow, Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation Return Fellowship (Virtual) 2025
  4. Fellow, Alexander Von Humboldt/George Foster Experience Scholar Fellowship 2023
  5. Fellow, Constance Uni., Visiting Scholar, Germany (Short Visit-Alternate for AVH)2022
  6. Fellow, PROSPA/Andrew Mellon & Visiting Scholar Rhodes University, S.A Oct-Dec2021
  7. Fellow, Carson and Visiting Scholar LMU, Munich, Germany May-Aug           2021
  8. Fellow, Chatter City-(Could not honour it due to conflicting program)                     2021
  9. Fellow, Feminist Africa/ Ford Foundation           Virtual                                            2022
  10. Fellow, CAPAS and Visiting Scholar Heidelberg University, Germany
  11. Fellow, American Council of Learned Society, -AHP-Virtual                            2020
  12. Fellow, AfOx-TORCH, and Visiting Scholar Oxford University, U. K. July-Sept  2019
  13. Fellow- Institute of Advance Studies, Ile-Ife, Nigeria                                     2017
  14. Fellow, Leventis and Visiting Scholar, SOAS, University of London, U. K. Oct-Dec 2014
  15. Fellow- IFRA (French Research Institute for Africa)-Nigeria-                         2012

Research Grants (If any):

  1. Co-Investigator- TETfund IBR-Grants- Yoruba Music, Myths, Culture and Delta Health – 2024
  2. Co-Investigator- TETfund IBR-Grants- Music, Chant, Yoruba Proverbs and Stress management – 2024
  3. Associate Researcher: “Off the Road: The Environmental Aesthetics of Early Automobility”, European Research Council (2 million Euro), Konstanz University Germany                                                                               2023-2027
  4. Sir Isaac Newton Project- “Nature and Knowledge” 2024
  5. Principal Investigator and performer- University of Minnesota USA Research Grant– “Together Alone Project” The Institute of the Environment Singing River Osun in Nigeria                                                                                                              2021
  6. Co-Investigator- NAGEL Research Grant- The Nagel Institute of Calvin University USA (Nagel) An Integrated Approach towards Tolerance on Shared Sacred Spaces in Nigeria     2020
  7. Principal Investigator IFRA-Nigeria Grant Violence Death in Kogi and Nassarawa States in Nigeria                                                                                      2013
  8. IFRA-Nigeria Grant -Title: The Role of Music and Media during Federal Elections in 1959 in Western Nigeria                                      2012
  9. Principal Investigator-TETfund Grants – Title: Community Music for HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign among Barbers   and Hairdressers in Kogi Central Senatorial District, Nigeria.                                                                                                         2011

List of Publications:

Books and Monographs

  1. TITUS, S.O. (2003) The Music and The Singing Voice. Wusen Publishers, Calabar, CRS.
  2. Titus, O.S. (2020), African Ecomusicology: Oil and Blood. Obafemi

Awolowo University Press.    (Creative Work)

Contribution to Books

  • Riva, N. Titus O. S. (2025) Fair Trade, the Sound of Chocolate, and Racial Imagination. Germany (Forth Coming)
  • Titus, O. S. (2025). Singing as Protest: Egbesu Protest Songs on Oil Exploitation in Niger Delta, Nigeria. In Audacious Art Histories: Grounding the Arts of Africa (Edit) Ruth Simbao, Rachel Baasch and Stephen Fọlárànmí. Johannesburg: Jacana Media. (Forth Coming)
  • Simbao R and Titus, O. S. (2025). 7th Continent: Youchaou Kiffouly’s Site-Situational Performance at Ussher Fort, Ghana. In Audacious Art Histories: Grounding the Arts of Africa (Edit) Ruth Simbao, Rachel Baasch and Stephen Fọlárànmí. Johannesburg: Jacana Media. (Forth Coming)
  • Titus, O. S. (2023) Sounding the Environmental Benefits of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria, in Climate Psychology in a Pandemic: Environmental Health in Lockdown. Sam Mickey and E. Douglas (edit) Oxford University Press 173-186.
  • Titus, O. S. Ogli, V. Ikibe and P. Amoyedo  (2023) Popular Music Representation of Plastic Wastes in the Pacific Ocean. In Music and the Scientific Meaning of Man. In Daramola Yomi. (edit) A book of Readings in Honour of Professor Ademola Adegbite 208-223.
  • Daramola, Y., Abiodun, F. and Titus, O. (2022) Yoruba Chants and Chanting as Rhetorical Devices. In A Companion to African Rhetoric. (Edits) Segun Ige, Gilbert Mothsaathebe and Omedi Ochieng. Lexington Books. 211-226
  • Groffman, J. and Titus, O. S. (2022) Hearing nature, sounding nature: approaching environmental communication through music and sound. Julia Metag et al (Edits) International Trends in Environmental Communication. (routledge.com) https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780367275204-36/hearing-nature-joshua-groffman-olusegun-stephen-titus. 479-498
  • Aduloju, A. A. and Titus, O.S. (2020) Nigerian Popular Music Narratives on Solid Waste in Lagos State, Nigeria. In Sule, E.E. Et. Al (Edits) Studies in Scientific and Cultural Ecology. Chevening Alumni, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom and SEVHAGE Publications 180-190 Publication sponsored by AVH.
  • Titus, O. S. (2018) Musical Narratives of Oil Exploration and Sea Degradation from the Niger Delta. (Ed) Lindsay, Bremner “Monsoon Assemblages-Water”. Department of Architecture, University of Westminster, London 091-099
  • Titus, O. S. and Titus, R. O. (2018) Application of Femi Adedeji’s Transformative Musicology in Stress Management among Obafemi Awolowo University Community Members. In Femi Abiodun E tal Music, Musicology and The Gospel in Nigeria. A Festschrift. in honour of Professor Samuel Olufemi Adedeji. Ile Ife: Association of Nigerian Musicologists. pp. 477-486.
  • Titus, O. S. and R. O. Titus (2015) Socio-Cultural Music as a Tool for the Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence among Religious Organizations in Yorubaland. In Fatokun A. (Ed) Religion and Security in Nigeria. Ibadan: Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan. pp. 333-346.
  • Titus, O. S. (2015) The Place of Entertainment-Education in Managing Electoral Violence in Nigeria. In Tsuwa, J. T and Ukuma S. T. (Eds) Ethnic Identities: The National Question and the Challenges of the Minorities in Nigeria. Publication of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) Benue State Chapter. Makurdi: Gwatex Publishers. pp 159-172.
  • Titus, O. S. and Titus R. O. (2014) Music as a Tool for HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign in Nigeria. In Charles Aluede, Kayode Samuel and ‘Femi Adedeji (Eds.) African Musicology: The Past, Present and Future:(A Festschrift. in honour of Mosunmola Ayinke Omibiyi-Obidike). Ile Ife: Association of Nigerian Musicologists. pp 223-233.
  • Titus, O. S. and Tsuwa, J. T. (2014) The Role of Iregun Songs and Chants in the Promotion of Good Governance in Nigeria. In Uji, W. et al (Eds.) Democracy, Politics and Economy in Nigeria: Essays and Biopic in Honour of Samuel Ortom PhD. Lagos: Bahiti and Dalila Publishers. pp. 94-113.

Published Journal Articles

  • Taofeek Kolawole Aliyu 1, Olusegun Stephen Titus 2,3, Oluwabunmi Tope Bernard 4, Omolola Alade 5, Adebola Oluyemisi Ehizele 6 and Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan 7,8,* (2025)Cultural Themes Related to Oral Health Practices, Beliefs, and Experiences in Nigeria: A Scoping Review
  • Titus, O. S., Titus, R.O., Jesusson, E. (2025) Musical Representation on Deforestation and Environmental Health in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Obodom: Journal of Music and Arts, Dept of Music UNiUyo. (Forth Coming)
  • Titus, O. S. (2025) Sounding the Current Struggles for Environmental Sustainability by Feminist Movement in Niger Delta of Nigeria, Oxford University (Forth Coming)
  • Foláyan MO, Bernard OT, Titus OS, Alade O, Aliyu TK, Bhayat A, Ndembi N, Fasiku G and El Tantawi M (2025) Cultural practices, oral health service utilisation and oral health policy and guidelines development in Africa: insights from the yorùbá ethnic group. Front. Oral. Health 6:1539827. doi: 10.3389/froh.2025.1539827
  • Titus, O. S. (2024) Nature Representation in Innocent Idibia’s Song ‘You are my African Queen’. West African Theatre and Performing Arts journal. Vol 3, 73-87
  • Falana, O. G. and Titus. O. S. (2023) “Ethnic-Based Popular Music In Ekiti: A Study Of Elemure Ogunyemi’s Ere Ibile.” Accelerando: Belgrade Journal of Music and Dance.
  • Titus, O. S., and Adejube, S. (2023). “Music Performance of Fela Anikulapo Kuti As An Environmental Justice Activist In Nigeria.” Accelerando:  Belgrade Journal of Music and Dance
  • Titus, O. S. (2024) Nature Representation in Innocent Idibia’s Song ‘You are my African Queen’. West African Theatre and Performing Arts journal . (WATPAJO), Vol 3, 73-87
  • Titus, O. S. (2023) Music and Poetry Representations of Oil Exploration, Honeybees (Dis)placement and Endangerment in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. BEEWORLD Journal Tailor and Francis. Volume 99, (2) 61-65  https://doi.org/10.1080/0005772X.2021.1993667
  • Titus, O. S. (2023). Ìrègún Music and Sounding Spaces among Yagba-Yoruba People of Nigeria. Space and Culture, 26(1), 23–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/1206331220985451.
  • Titus, O.S., Bernard, O.T., Adejo, F., Lawal, D. T. (2023) Music, Family and Conflict Management: Examining the Impacts of Vocabulary in Selected Yoruba Songs. Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts, Vol 16. 278-286
  • Titus, O.S. (2023) The Socio-Cultural Roles of Iregun Musical Instruments Among Yagba-Yoruba People of Kogi State Nigeria. Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts, Vol 16. 266-276
  • Oyetola, E. O., Soyele, O. O., Titus, O.S., Adesina, O. M., Afolabi, D., Titus, O.R. (2020). Oral and Dental Problems among Musicians: A Cross Sectional Study. Journal of International Oral Health. International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry Volume 12 (4) 330-337.
  • Titus, O.S. (2020) The Roles of Yoruba Songs among the Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Southwestern Nigeria. Accelerando: Belgrade Journal of Music and Dance. Vol 6, 1-20.
  • Akinyemi, E. A. and Titus, O.S. (2019) The Role of Women in Igunnuko Worship and Musical Performances in Aworiland. Orirun: Uniosun Journal of African Studies 1, 116-128.
  • Titus, O.S. (2019) Birdsong and its Socio-cultural and Environmental Implications among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Ecomusicology Review Vol 7, 1-21
  • Titus, O. S. and Oyetola, O. E. (2019) Function and Structure of Yoruba Songs on Dental Health Among the Nursing Mothers in Southwestern Nigeria Accelerando: Accelerando: Belgrade Journal of Music and Dance 4 pp 1-17
  • Titus, S. (2019): Ecomusicology, Indigenous Knowledge And Environmental Degradation In Ibadan, Nigeria African Music: Journal of The International Library of African Music Rhodes University, South Africa  Vol 11 No 1, 72-90
  • Titus, O. S. (2017) From Social Media Space to Sound Space: Protest Songs During Occupy Nigeria Fuel Subsidy Removal. MUZIKI: Journal of Music Research in Africa. University of South Africa. Tailor and Francis Grouphttps://doi.org/10.1080/18125980.2016.1249163.UNISA Press Vol.14.2 pp109-128.
  • Titus, O. S. and Titus, R. O. (2017) Jimi Solanke and Ebenezer Obey’s Music on Environmental Degradation and Flood Disaster in Ibadan, Nigeria. Polymath: An Interdisciplinary Journal of the Arts and Sciences. Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, USA. Vol. 7, No. 2,   111-130.
  • Titus, S. (2015) Oral Performance of Iregun Music in Yagbaland, Kogi State, Nigeria: An Overview. Epiphany Journal of Trans-disciplinary Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. International University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vol. 8, No. 1. pp. 9-29.
  • Titus, O.S. (2015) An Evaluation of Bring Back Our Gils Music Campaign by Adakole Williams. Journal of History and Culture. Department of History, Gauhati University. 1 (2) 34-40
  • Titus, O. S. (2015). Social Function of Ibadan City Anthem Southwestern Nigeria. Papers in English and Linguistics Journal. Ile-Ife, Vol. 16.No. 1.pp 170 -182.
  • Titus, O. S. (2015). The Roles of Music in Olokogbe Festival of Ponyan Community, Kogi State Nigeria. Ife Journal of the Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Vol.11. pp. 132-143.
  • Titus, O. S. (2015) Music and Print Media Roles in 1959 Federal Elections in Western Nigeria. Journal of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP). 1.No. 4.pp.467-475.
  • Titus, O. S. (2014) Textual Analysis of Selected Songs that address issues of Food Security Awareness in Nigeria. Nigerian Music Review, 13, pp. 24-36.
  • Titus, S. O. (2012) Music Performance for Political Mobilisation and Violence during 2011 General Elections in Nigeria. In African Journal of Peace and Security, Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin Vol.1 No.1 PP 56-67. ejournals.unilorin.edu.ng/journals/index.php/jpsd/issue/download/128/fullissue2       
  • Titus, O. S. and Ibidun R.O. (2012) The Place of Iregun Music in the promotion of Indigenous Knowledge in Yagbaland. IKENGA: International Journal of the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Vol. 12, No.2, pp.303-319.
  • Titus, O. S. and Bello O. A. (2011) Music in Politics: A Critical Examination of 2007 and 2011 General Elections in Nigeria. Nigerian Music Review, Vol. 11/12, pp. 127- 140.

Book Review

  • Titus, O. S. (2021) Delius and the Sound of Place. (Grimley Daniel) The Delius Society  Journal. (Book review) 89: 76-78.
  • Titus, O. S. (2015) Theorising Practice and Practicing Theory: A phenominology of Music in Nigeria. African Notes Vol 39 No 1 and 2. pp 172-173 (Book Review)
  • Titus, O. S. (2019) You are the music: How music reveals what it means to be human (Williamson) Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy 12: 1, 144-146

Papers under Review

Titus, O. S. (2024) An Analysis of the Animals in Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye’s Songs as Yoruba Socio-Cultural and Environmental Signifiers. Humanimalia Journal. Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Titus, O. S. (2024) “Ìrègún Music, Conflict Transformation, and Sustainable Peaceful Coexistence Among Yàgbà People in Kogi State, Nigeria. Wiley Online Library

Titus, O.S. and Groffman, J. (2024) Popular Music, Urban Slums and Ghettos in Lagos City Landscape, Nigeria. Journal of Environment Space and Place. International Association for the Study of Environment, Space, and Place (IASESP) University of Minnesota Press

 

Sound Exhibition-Online

Creative work

  1. Titus, O. S. (2015) Sounds of Hope: World HIV/AIDS Day Concert for Obafemi Awolowo University Campus Community.
  2. Titus, O. S. (2016) Musical Vibes for Oral Health: World Oral Health Day Concert for Obafemi Awolowo University Campus Community.

Staff Profile (any other information not captured above):

Professional Accomplishment

I was a member of the international technocrats invited in 2014 for the United Nations Day organized by the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, United Kingdom. As a role model for my students, I trained their critical thinking ability and love for academic rigour. I currently serve as member of the review panel for international grant awarding body such as European Research Council (ERC). My work mostly centres on reviewing millions of euro applications that are related to environmental humanities globally. More so I currently serve as reviewer and member of international board members for some high impact international and national journals such as like Muziki: Journal of African Music, African Contemporary Studies, Ethnomusicology Journal, Tailor and Francis group among others.

As one of the leading scholars of Ecomusicology in Africa and current African coordinator of Ecomusicology Society in Africa, I made presentation on the connection of music and ecological issues on the World Environmental Day at the Institute of Ecology and Environment of the Obafemi Awolowo University (2016 and 2017). I collaborated with Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Institute of Public Health Obafemi Awolowo University in organising HIV/AIDS World Day Musical Concert in 2015. In collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry I equally organised a concert on Musical Vibes for Oral Health in 2016. I also organise workshops for postgraduate students in collaboration with IFRA 2016 till date. I was part of the Minnesota University singing for Climate Change and River Right Projects in (2021). More so, I coordinate the Nigeria group of the University of Mississippi University sponsored singing group on Sir Isaac Newton Project on Nature and Knowledge of the Ocean and Ocean community.

I have been part of the Obafemi Awolowo University Grantsmanship committee of the Centre Office of Research which organises trainings and workshop for early career scholars on grant writing and winning 2022-till date. I am one of the leading scholars of Ecomusicology in Africa. A study that examines the trajectories of music with nature, environment and climate change. As a leading scholar I have been organising panel in conferences, symposiums, seminars and workshops in different parts of Africa on this area of scholarship. I have been facilitating strategic activities and creating awareness through music performances and theorising on saving the mother earth and our planet. This I have done through special programs and training in different parts of Nigeria, South Africa, United States of America, Germany, Austria, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Portugal, United Kingdom, China, Singapore among others. I have also developed the curriculum for the postgraduate programs (Master and PhD) on Ecomusicology for the Department of Music, Obafemi Awolowo University and that would be the first comprehensive curriculum in the whole of Africa. I am glad that several other universities within and outside Nigeria now consult the department for the Ecomusicology curriculum that we developed.

I am pleased to inform you that many of my project’s students have secured international grants and fellowships in different parts of the world including affiliates departments, faculties at several universities in Nigeria and in America and Europe. Apart from regular teaching in classes I have also created several social media platforms for mentoring young and middle and experienced scholars

 

Contribution to Knowledge

My areas of specialisation are Ecomusicology, Music in Peacebuilding, and Medical Musicology, which are situated within the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

My area of specialisation is mainly Ecomusicology. Peacebuilding and Medical Musicology. In the area of Ecomusicology which focused on critical engagement of music (popular, indigenous and contemplative) to environmental degradation, performance spaces, city and community sounds, sounds from human and non-human narratives.  I have examined the engagement of music in environmental degradation in flood disasters especially in Nigeria. I have also asserted that flood disaster as a global phenomenon raises some fundamental questions about the safety of human lives, farm produce, environmental pollution and related health hazards that are prevalent in modern society. Though scholarly attention has not been directed at the engagement of music with the perennial flood disasters in Ibadan, the city has recorded one of the highest incidents of flooding in Nigeria. In the process, I have provided an informed critical assessment of Yoruba popular music on flood discourse. Another area of environmental crisis that I studied is the Niger Delta oil exploitation and environmental degradation. My research has also engaged issues on blue community and plastic wastes. I examine sonic representation of the oceans and the Atlantic Sea and the coastal communities in West Africa subregion. I argue that plastic wastes on the blue community needed urgent attention to be able to save the Sea.  My research on protests and fuel subsidy centres on music and the masses in the trajectory of fuel and the environment. My research examines the music performance spaces and places and signification of cultural emblems.

More so, I engaged with popular music representation of food security and the environment. I also work on cultural music as it relates to environmental issues. An example is Iregun music and sounding and performances spaces which focuses on different nature elements in Iregun music as an expression of the socio-environmental challenges facing the Nigeria environment. I also analysed music for the super-humans that inhabited nature Olokogbe from Ponyan community is one of such. My studies examine how music form part of propitiation for the gods which further help preserve that natural habitat where the non-human occupied. Music has been source of referencing. My study engages with birds and their environmental signification among the Yoruba people expressed the place of non-human in their habitats their relationship in every day lived life.

My contribution to studies on music in culture and peacebuilding have been in the area of Yoruba cultural music, which constitutes a wide spectrum of musical genres in Nigerian music scholarship. I have studied in-depth the Iregun socio-cultural music and other traditional music genres in which I documented and analyzed both the song-forms and their performance-practices. The studies apart from supplying useful academic information have opened ways for meaningful engagement in terms of its place in promoting cultural performances and peaceful co-existence among religious, political and ethnic divides.

My contributions to studies on Medical Musicology which focuses on the narratives and musical analysis on health and healing is phenomenal. I have worked on music and HIV/AIDS awareness and advocacy among barbers and hairdressers which result in the publication on an article on Music and HIV/AIDS. This paper explores the potentiality in music in addressing HIV/AIDS awareness and need for personal responsibility for healthy living. Also, I have studied the place of music among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Yoruba land and discovered that the songs used during health talk has both psychological and therapeutic effects on health and delivery. More, I have examined music used among staff of Obafemi Awolowo University in copying with stress which can ultimately reduce sudden death witnessed in recent years. And I have discovered that music help reduce work stress induce illnesses. I have documented my paper on music and dental health awareness songs which critically examines Yoruba common songs on dental health and discovered that the songs are potentials to help keep our dental health fits. I have examined the relations issues of COVID 19 pandemic and climate change.