Ilishan-Remo, Babcock University President/Vice Chancellor, Professor Afolarin Ojewole,
has urged African leaders to embrace Artificial Intelligence as a core tool for sustainable development, warning that ideas and technology, not raw resources, will define the continent’s future.
“The future of Africa will not be built by resources alone, but by ideas, technology, creativity, and courageous leadership,”
Professor Ojewole said this while declaring open the International Conference on Knowledge, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Information Professions, hosted by the university.
He acknowledged AI’s double edge which included disrupting professions and threatening existing skills, but also unlocking new paths for growth.
“Knowledge and innovation are the keys to competitiveness in today’s digital era,” he said. “Those who generate new knowledge, harness existing knowledge, and exploit new tools will stay ahead.”
The call comes as data underscores AI’s economic weight.
The African Development Bank projects AI could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035. The State of AI in Africa Report 2023 counts over 2,400 AI startups across 35 countries, with Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa leading adoption in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
Smart irrigation and predictive analytics have lifted crop yields by up to 30 percent. AI diagnostic tools are cutting misdiagnosis rates by 20–30 percent. Millions of students now use AI-powered adaptive learning platforms.
Keynote speaker Doctor Adesoji Tayo, policy advocate and President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation, pressed for inclusive governance to match the pace of innovation.
“AI will change the work we do. The question is, will we lead the change or be swept away by it?” he asked.
Doctor Tayo also called for policies that guarantee equitable access, digital literacy, and responsible AI use, stressing that Africa’s relationship with AI is at a critical juncture.
Head of host department,Information Resources Management, Professor Ezewanyi Madukoma, said the conference cements Babcock’s role as a hub for AI research and innovation.
“With the right leadership and inclusive policies, AI can revolutionize development, driving sustainability and global competitiveness,” she noted, thanking participants and university management for their support.
