The University of Lagos (UNILAG) officially concluded its 18th Annual Research Conference on Friday, October 17, 2025, wrapping up three dynamic days of thought-provoking dialogue, cutting-edge research presentations, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The closing day was not only a celebration of ideas but also a moment of recognition, as outstanding contributors across various academic disciplines were honoured with awards and plaques for excellence in oral and poster presentations.
Held under the theme “The Future of Work, Education and Wellbeing in the AI Age,” the conference, which took place at various venues on the university’s main campus in Akoka, Lagos, brought together leading academics, researchers, and innovators to explore the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on society cementing UNILAG’s status as a hub for future-focused scholarship and innovation.
With over 120 participants, the event served as a crucible for cross-sectoral engagement, bridging the gap between the sciences and the humanities, and exploring the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping society.
It also featured a rich blend of oral presentations and poster sessions, showcasing groundbreaking research across disciplines. From AI applications in environmental monitoring and healthcare to its impact on education, business, and the humanities, the contributions underscored the transformative potential of machine intelligence when ethically and inclusively deployed.
In her closing remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, lauded the quality and depth of the presentations, noting that the works presented were both multidisciplinary and deeply rooted in the evolving discourse around AI.
She thanked all the Committee members for their dedication in ensuring the success of the three-day event. Professor Oboh further praised the diversity of thought showcased at the conference and urged participants, academics, administrators, and students alike to actively seek knowledge in a rapidly digitizing world.
Her words: “If we don’t accept the current digital realities, we risk being left behind.”
Echoing her sentiments, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee and Director of the Research Management Office (RMO), Professor Solomon Okunuga, delivered the official communiqué, encapsulating the key themes and outcomes of the event.
He revealed that the conference, through six focused sub-themes, critically examined how AI is reshaping domains as varied as education, environmental monitoring, business, public health, and human welfare.
Professor Okunuga stated that Artificial Intelligence should not be viewed as a threat, but rather as an augmentation tool one that enhances efficiency, drives scientific discovery, and serves to complement, rather than replace, human creativity.
He also emphasized the urgency of embedding human rights and ethical considerations at the core of AI development and deployment, especially as its footprint grows within educational systems and labour markets.
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards and plaques to outstanding participants, recognizing excellence in both oral and poster presentations across the sciences and the humanities. Professor Bola Oboh personally led the award ceremony, celebrating exceptional contributions from both staff and students. The gesture not only acknowledged academic merit but also reinforced the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence and innovation.
UNILAG RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2025 WINNERS OF PRIZES AND AWARDEES
(Poster Presentations)
In the Humanities Category, Adekemi Omotubora, Oladipupo Sennaike, Victor Odumuyiwa. Chika Yinka-Banjo, Maxwell Igweogu, Ekemini Okpongkpong, Thummim Iyoha–Osagie, and Amirah Rufai were awarded the winners for the topic “Women Experience Privacy Differently: Towards a Gender and Inclusion by Design (GEIBD) Approach in Africa.”
The second-place winners were Jogbenu and Abiola Mautin from the University of Lagos, who presented on ”Artificial Intelligence (AI), Surveillance, and Labour Rights in Nigeria: Towards Sustainable Human Resource Management in the Digital Age” and the Third-place winner was Nwaogu, Gideon Chimeremeze Ogbonna from the School of Postgraduate Studies, Institute of Governance & Development Studies, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, with the topic Reimagining Education in the AI Age: Curriculum Reform, Policy Strategies, and Human Development.
In the Sciences, Okodeh S.O., Egbedokun S.O., Isioma I.A., Rieninwa R, Afolayan O.O., Nwoye E.O., from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria, Â Department of Anatomy, University of Lagos, Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja whose poster presentation was on the topic ”AI Reveals the Hidden Link: Quantifying Urban Heat Island Effects on Sleep Architecture and Cognitive Function”
Paralysis Diagnosis Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) by the trio of Igbinigie G. O., Â Adeleye O. A., Daniyan I. A. from the Bells University of Technology, College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ota, Ogun State; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka came second in this category.
While Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting Retention of Female Students in Tertiary Institutions presented by Ogundeji, Rotimi Kayode , Aleem, Anuoluwapo Oluwayemisi, Tijani, Motunrayo Zainab from the Department of Statistics, Faculty of Physical & Earth Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria and the Department of Statistics and Data Science, Fox School of Business, Temple University, USA came third in this category.
(Oral Presentation)
In the humanities category, the topic ”Disruptive by Design: The Reshaping of Work and Wellbeing of Women in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” by Temitope J. Owolabi of the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, was awarded the winner. The second-place winner was awarded to Esther O. Thontteh, Mohammed Ishaq Mohammed, Okonu Al-Ameen, Ugwocha Nnenna, Sobande Emmanuel, Evelyn Iweka from the Dept of Estate Management, University of Lagos, Dept of Estate Management, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and the Dept of Works, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike-Ikwo, Ebonyi State.
While the third-place award in the humanities went to the duo of Bukola Amao-Taiwo, Fakeye, and Sodiq Damilare, from the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre and the Department of Business Administration, Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos, Nigeria, on their presentation titled ” Smart Campus Technology Adoption and Entrepreneurial Competencies of University of Lagos Student Entrepreneurs”.
In the Sciences, Design and Characterisation of Taste-Masked Coaxial Electrospun Fibre Mats for Dual Drug Delivery of Antihypertensives in Paediatrics. by Uloma Ubani-Ukoma, Xiunan Li, Mahmood Faiyaz, Maryam Parhizkar, Duncan Q.M. Craig, Hend Abdelhakim from the School of Pharmacy, University College London (UCL), 29-39 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AX London, United Kingdom; Faculty of Science, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; Global Business School for Health, UCL, 7 Sidings St, E20 2AE London, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria was awarded the best in the category.
Olubusola. O. Olaleye, Margaret O. Sofidiya, Marvellous C. Uzor, Ganiyat T. Ajakaiye and Oluwole B. Familoni from both the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical and Earth Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria won the second-place award for their presentation on ”Senecio biafrae: A Leafy vegetable with gastroprotective property”. However, the third-place winner was not awarded in the category for Academics.
In the students category for humanities, Chizea Chukwuebuka and Dele Oye were the winners for their presentation titled ”Assessment of Architecture Students’ Attitudes towards AI-assisted Design: A Case Study at the University of Lagos”. They are from the Department of Architecture, University of Lagos. The second-placed winner was Okewole Sulaimon, who spoke on ” Transformative Educational Leadership for AI Readiness in Lagos State Public Senior Secondary Schools: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations” while the third-placed winner was not awarded.
For the student category in the sciences, the topic ” Evaluation of the Efficiency of Keratinase-Producing Bacteria in the Biodegradation of Keratinous Waste” delivered by the trio of Opeoluwa Mardiyyah Makanjuola, Olabisi Aminat Oladipupo and Ayodele Elizabeth Omotayo from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria was awarded the best. It was followed in second place by Lasbat Folorunsho Kabiawu-Mutiu‘s presentation titled ”In Silico Investigation of Musa spp. Leaf Phytoconstituents as Potential Inhibitors of Aeromonas hydrophila: An AI-Driven Approach to Sustainable Aquaculture and Fish Health”. The third position, Science Students category, was not awarded.
As the conference came to a close, it marked not merely a conclusion but a renewed affirmation of the University of Lagos’ unwavering commitment to leadership in research and innovation.
By continually creating platforms for meaningful knowledge exchange that shape policy, drive industry, and impact society at large, the university reinforces its role as a national and global thought leader.
Coming on the heels of UNILAG’s International Week, the 18th Annual Research Conference further reinforced the university’s role as a driving force for intellectual advancement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Joshua Micheal / Gisanrin Tobi
Akindele Oluwatofiyinfun / Sowemimo Ayomide Joshua
