Centering 'Ukama' Ethic (Relatedness) in the COVID-19 Pandemic 'New Normal' in African Higher Education

This conceptual article examines the "ukama" ethic concerning the COVID-19 pandemic-induced 'new normal' in African higher education. In so doing, we endeavor to appropriate "ukama" which is a communally oriented value system to militate against socially isolated individualism in Remote Learning and an Ethic of Care that combats social prejudices occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in African higher education. Our central argument is that "Ukama" ethic is contextually appropriate in the COVID-19 pandemic-induced 'new normal in African higher education. This article does two important things. Firstly, in light of the demands for local thought traditions in African higher education, it advances the social values of relatedness that constitute "Ukama" ethic to normatively underline the Remote Learning and Ethics of Care. In this regard, a question that is important to us is; if not now in the 'new normal, then when can local thought traditions be fully incorporated into African higher education? Secondly, in the attempt to appropriate local thought traditions into African higher education, the article offers a critical reflection of "Ukama." Despite its limitations, we conclude that the "Ukama" ethic is important in the COVID-19 pandemic induced 'new normal' in African higher education.