Participants from across Nigeria and beyond converged at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC), University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday, June 22, 2026, for the commencement of the Green and Sustainable Software Engineering Summer School.
Organised by the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC) in collaboration with the UNILAG Software Engineering for Green Deal Africa Hub (SE4GD), the five-day (5) programme is designed to explore how technology and software engineering can be harnessed to address real-world environmental and societal challenges.
Declaring the programme open, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, represented by the Director, Office of Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (OGESP), Professor Abimbola Sowemimo, described the Summer School as a timely platform for conversations at the intersection of technology, health, education, and the environment.
She noted that environmental conditions often have direct implications for human health and well-being. Using pollen grains and other airborne particles as examples, Professor Sowemimo explained that understanding the environment through research, data, and innovation is essential to developing practical solutions to contemporary challenges.
She commended the organisers for bringing the initiative to the University and expressed optimism that participants would benefit immensely from the knowledge and experiences to be shared throughout the week.
Earlier, AFRETEC Coordinator at UNILAG, Professor Ismail Ibraheem, described the Summer School as one of the network’s strategic initiatives aimed at addressing Africa’s developmental challenges through engineering, science, and technology.
He explained that AFRETEC is a consortium of ten (10) African universities spread across the continent and coordinated by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Kigali, Rwanda. According to him, the network was established to strengthen engineering education, research, and innovation while fostering collaborations that produce solutions to real-life problems.
Professor Ibraheem emphasised that learning must extend beyond the classroom and translate into practical interventions that improve lives and communities. He also highlighted inclusion and diversity as core values of the network, encouraging participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the programme’s local and international facilitators.
Professor Ibraheem noted that the Summer School reflects AFRETEC’s commitment to leveraging engineering and technology to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through innovation-driven solutions that promote environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive development across Africa.
Representing the Dean, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Professor Adewole Phillips, the immediate past Director of the Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Centre for Information Technology and Systems (ABS-CITS), Professor Florence Oladeji applauded the organisers for hosting the Summer School at UNILAG.
She described the initiative as innovative and impactful, noting that it would not only enhance participants’ technical knowledge but also foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cross-cultural engagement.
According to her, the programme aligns with AFRETEC’s vision of nurturing a new generation of innovators equipped to drive Africa’s digital transformation through responsible and sustainable technology solutions.
Also speaking, the Head of Department of Computer Science, Professor Chika Yinka-Banjo, stressed the need to develop technological solutions that are both efficient and environmentally sustainable.
She noted that as digital technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life, software developers must pay greater attention to the environmental impact of the systems they design and deploy.
Similarly, the Acting Head, Department of Cybersecurity and Software Engineering, Dr. Nureini Azeez, urged participants to approach the programme with curiosity and a willingness to learn. He observed that modern software engineering goes beyond coding to include the design of secure, scalable, intelligent, and sustainable systems capable of addressing society’s evolving needs.
A major highlight of the opening day was the keynote presentation by Associate Professor at the University of Limerick, Ireland, Dr. Colin Venters, a leading researcher in software sustainability and software architecture.
Speaking on the theme: “Engineering Sustainable Software Systems,” Dr. Venters introduced participants to the principles of sustainable software engineering. He explained that software systems should be designed not only to meet present needs but also to remain adaptable, maintainable, energy-efficient, and valuable over time.
Drawing from his research and professional experience, he demonstrated how software systems can evolve in response to changing user demands, technological advancements, and environmental considerations without requiring complete redevelopment. He further highlighted the role of software engineers in advancing sustainable development through responsible innovation and thoughtful system design.
His presentation reinforced the critical role of sustainable software engineering in supporting climate-resilient digital systems and advancing global efforts towards responsible innovation and sustainable development. The session sparked robust discussions, with participants posing questions on software sustainability, green computing, emerging technologies, and the future of environmentally conscious software development.
The Summer School will continue through Friday, June 26, 2026, featuring lectures, technical sessions, hands-on engagements, and collaborative learning opportunities facilitated by leading experts from academia and industry.
AFRETEC (Africa Engineering and Technology Network) is a pan-African consortium of leading universities committed to advancing engineering education, technological innovation, and research excellence across the continent. At the University of Lagos, AFRETEC supports initiatives that develop future-ready talents and promote technology-driven solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Michael Joshua
