Babcock University urges AI for Africa's sustainable development

By Gbadebo Adekunle, BU

With Africa seeking smart solutions to its technological and infrastructural challenges, Babcock University President/Vice Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, called for a bold drive towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for sustainability. He made this call as the university hosted the International Conference on Knowledge, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Information Professions.

“The future of Africa will not be built by resources alone, but by ideas, technology, creativity, and courageous leadership,” Prof. Ojewole declared, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

He noted that while AI disrupts professions, replaces familiar tools and threatens certain skills, it also creates new opportunities for growth and innovation. He added that “Knowledge and innovation are the keys to competitiveness in today’s digital era.” Those who generate new knowledge, harness existing knowledge, and exploit new tools will stay ahead of the competition.”

According to the African Development Bank, AI could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035. The State of AI in Africa Report (2023) identified more than 2,400 startups across 35 countries already leveraging AI in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, with Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa leading the pack.

Predictive analytics and smart irrigation have boosted crop yields by up to 30 percent, diagnostic tools are reducing misdiagnosis rates by 20–30 percent, and millions of students are accessing adaptive learning platforms powered by AI.

Keynote speaker Dr. Adesoji Tayo, a policy advocate and administrator in governance, innovation, and organizational leadership, emphasized the need for inclusive policies to balance innovation with impact, warning that “AI will change the work we do. The question is, will we lead the change or be swept away by it?”

Tayo, who is also the President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation, advocated for policies ensuring equitable access, digital literacy, and responsible AI governance, concluding that humanity’s relationship with AI is at a critical juncture requiring urgent attention to both challenges and opportunities.

Head of the Host Department, Information Resources Management, Prof.  Ezewanyi Madukoma, thanked participants and management for their support. He noted that the conference not only positions Babcock as a hub for innovation and AI research in Africa but also that, with the right leadership and inclusive policies, AI can revolutionize development, driving sustainability and global competitiveness.