The disruptive realities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its non-negotiable role in shaping the future of education, work and national development, took the centre stage at the commencement of the 18th Annual Research Conference of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria.
Themed: The Future of Work, Education and Well Being in the AI Age, the 3-day conference kicked off with a formal Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall of UNILAG.
The ceremony was graced by the crème-de-la-crème from the academia, industry, and diplomatic corps as well as friends and partners of the University.
Welcoming the Participants
In their separate remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), UNILAG, Professor Bola Oboh, and Chairman, Conference Planning Committee who is also the Director of Research Management Office (RMO, UNILAG), Professor Solomon Okunuga, welcomed participants, and pointed out that the Research Conference, which has grown over the years, has lived up to its mandate.
Prof. Oboh said “since the establishment of our Central Research Committee (CRC) in 1983, the University of Lagos has given over one billion naira (N1,000,000,000.00) as research grants, a feat which has helped to improve the capability of our faculty in research and helped them to build confidence to go for more national and international grants”.
The Professor of Genetics disclosed that a total of two hundred and eight (208) abstracts were received out of which one hundred and seventy seven (177) were accepted for the 18th Annual Research Conference.
Setting the Stage
In her opening address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, who led the University Management team to the Conference, reiterated the need for academic research to be contemporaneous and tailored towards addressing specific national needs.
According to her, the theme of the research conference was apt due to the need for every member of faculty to understand, appreciate and embrace AI to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
Prof. Ogunsola identified tertiary institutions as epicenters of knowledge generation; hence the need for academics to brace up and match the pace of digital revolution which has grown from books into Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Vice-Chancellor charged researchers to see AI as a tool which must serve indigenous purposes especially in the areas of food security, health and education. Her words, “…AI will deduct and deduce. However, we must influence the information from the African perspective, the things that matter to us must go into that knowledge pool. Right now, we don’t show up too well but we can’t keep relying only on what matters to others…we must be open to change and be less conservative as we raise the manpower for the future of Nigeria and Africa…”
The Keynote Address
The keynote presentation titled: “The Future of Work in the AI Age, Navigating the Disruption and Fostering Well-Being”, was delivered by the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju.
While acknowledging the continuously growing impact of technology, the Professor of Computer Engineering described AI as a game changer in every sphere of human existence.
Prof. Ibrahim said the future of AI should challenge researchers in the areas of ensuring equitable access for all users while teachers and lecturers must lay emphasis on process, presentation, oral defense and in-class creation as a way of warding off plagiarism and driving the social integration part of education among students.
The keynote speaker assured that teachers and lecturers would remain irreplaceable in the AI age. He, however, noted that the roles of academics will evolve into that of mentors, coaches, as well as providers of personalized guidance, motivation and support.
His words, “…teachers and lecturers will become curators of learning experiences, designers of rich, project-based curricular that leverage AI tools, facilitators of discussions and debates, leading Socrates dialogues on ethics, philosophy and the limitations of technology, nurturers of soft skills fostering empathy, collaboration and resilience in the classroom…”
Prof Ibrahim affirmed that the AI Age does not pose any threat to Nigeria’s potentials it is an amplifier which will help to unlock it. He implored researchers to be architects, engineers and artistes of their own destiny; rather than passive passengers in the digital transformation journey.
His words “…we must navigate the disruption with courage, turning challenges into our greatest opportunities, we must foster well-being with compassion, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in this digital race, and together, we can build a digital nation that isn’t a copy of others, but a unique, vibrant a prosperous model for the world…”
Goodwill Messages
There were goodwill remarks from the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria; His Excellency Gautier Mignot who highlighted series of ongoing developmental collaborations between the European Union and various institutions in Nigeria, including the €410 million Electric Waterway Project in Lagos tagged the Omi-Eko Transport project.
Representatives of the Embassies of Poland, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands were also on ground to identify with the University as it kicked off the Annual Research Conference.
The 18th Annual Research Conference of the University of Lagos will run till Friday, October 17, 2025 with activities including plenary and parallel sessions as well as oral and poster presentations.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Michael Joshua & Adedayo Adelumola
