By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch, has called for stronger collaboration between academic institutions and grassroots communities to drive sustainable development in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Association, Comrade Owoeye Adedeji made the call in his welcome address at the 13th Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture held in Lagos.

The lecture, organised in partnership with the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), had as its theme, “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Sustainable Development of Nigeria’s Education System.”

Owoeye said the choice of the theme was timely and essential, noting that Nigeria was at a critical point where technology was creating new opportunities to transform teaching, learning and governance.

According to him, artificial intelligence offers powerful new ways to teach, learn and grow, stressing the need for stakeholders to explore the opportunities responsibly.

He said, “This subject is not just timely but it is essential. We stand at a moment where technology offers powerful new ways to teach, learn and grow.

“As we explore these opportunities, let us do so thoughtfully and ethically, with one clear goal: to build an education system that serves every Nigerian, adapts to our changing world and secures a bright future for generations to come.”

The alumni chairman described the memorial lecture as more than an annual event, saying it was an opportunity to celebrate, honour and preserve the life and legacy of Professor Sofoluwe.

He described the late former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos as a visionary, mentor, compassionate leader and unwavering champion of academic excellence.

“Professor Sofoluwe walked among us as a pathfinder. During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, he left an indelible mark on our beloved institution; one defined by bold infrastructure growth, elevated intellectual standards, and a deep, abiding care for every student and member of staff,” he said.

Owoeye noted that although Sofoluwe had passed on, his legacy remained present within the university community and continued to challenge current and future generations to strive for excellence.

“Though he has passed on to glory, his spirit remains present in these halls, leaving us with a gentle yet powerful challenge: always strive to leave things better than you found them. His example continues to guide us,” he added.

The chairman also emphasised the importance of linking knowledge with public service, saying sustainable development could only be achieved when academic excellence and service to society worked hand in hand.

He expressed particular delight that the alumni association was partnering with the Yaba LCDA for the first time on the memorial lecture, describing the partnership as an important milestone.

Owoeye also called on stakeholders to preserve the values of leadership, service and innovation exemplified by Professor Sofoluwe, stressing that his legacy should inspire efforts to build a better education system for future generations.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Dr. Bayo Adefuye, described the memorial lecture as an opportunity to reflect on the future of education, said AI was already influencing the way people work, communicate, conduct research, access information and solve problems.

According to him, when properly harnessed, the technology can support teachers, improve access to learning materials, facilitate personalised learning, enhance educational research and enable institutions to make better data-driven decisions.

He, however, cautioned against allowing AI to replace human values, stressing the need for its responsible use in education. He said students must be taught not only how to use AI but also how to question and verify information generated by the technology, while applying critical thinking, creativity and human judgment. He also raised concerns about access, ethics, misinformation and the need to ensure that students in public schools are not excluded from the benefits of technological advancement.

The council chairman said his administration’s Yaba 2.0 transformation agenda remained committed to education, youth development and digital opportunities, noting that sustainable development begins with investment in people. He called for stronger collaboration among government, educational institutions, alumni associations, the private sector, technology experts, parents and communities to bridge the digital divide and equip teachers and students with relevant digital skills.

Adefuye said Nigeria’s large population of young and talented people could become creators and innovators rather than mere consumers of technology if provided with quality education, mentorship and opportunities. He commended the University of Lagos Alumni Association for sustaining the memorial lecture for 13 years and choosing a timely theme, urging stakeholders to translate ideas generated at the event into practical action in schools, universities and communities. He added that the memory of Professor Sofoluwe should continue to inspire excellence, scholarship and service.

“This union of academia and grassroots governance speaks to a simple truth: lasting progress grows from collaboration. By bridging ‘town and gown’, we hope to build a model in our host community of Yaba which can be achieved when knowledge and public service walk hand in hand,” Owoeye said.

He urged participants at the lecture to approach discussions on artificial intelligence with responsibility and a clear focus on using technology to improve Nigeria’s education system.