VC urges Africa to leverage digital change for inclusive, sustainable growth
Africa can bypass traditional development pathways and achieve sustainable development through digital transformation, the Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has said. Kolawole said on Tuesday that
Africa can bypass traditional development pathways and achieve sustainable development through digital transformation, the Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has said.
Kolawole said on Tuesday that Africa could achieve this by harnessing innovation, empowering its youths, and strengthening partnerships.
Kolawole made the assertion at the opening of the 2026 Trinity University/Industry Management Leadership Production Development Academic-Industry Conference.
The two-day event is taking place at university’s Conference Hall, Yaba.
The conference had the theme: ‘Leveraging Digital Transformation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Africa: An Academic-Industry Discourse’.
Kolawole said that digital transformation played a critical role in driving inclusive growth, innovation, economic opportunities, and sustainable development across sectors.
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He described the conference as timely, saying that Africa had a youth population and expanding technology ecosystem, which would offer opportunities to leapfrog development pathways.
He assured the conference participants of engaging sessions, including keynotes, panels and a blockchain workshop designed to foster collaboration and innovations.
“This conference will inspire action, strengthen partnerships, and unlock innovations for inclusive growth and sustainable development across Africa,” he said.
He expressed the hope that the outcomes of the engagements would be impactful.
In a keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, said that digital transformation was being increasingly recognised as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
Asikhia, however, said that success would depend on governance infrastructure and inclusive implementation strategies.
He noted that governance and institutional challenges across Africa significantly affected digital transformation and development outcomes.
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“These challenges undermine digital transformation efforts and result in limited, inconsistent and unsustainable development outcomes.
“Academic/industry collaboration is essential for co-designing practical solutions, combining research and real-world experience to effectively drive inclusive digital transformation and accelerate sustainable development across Africa.”
Asikhia said that bridging digital divide remained critical.
He added that unreliable electricity, high data costs, and low digital literacy excluded vulnerable populations from digital opportunities across Africa.
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In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation Science and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, described the conference as timely.
The commissioner was represented by Mr. Oshinaike Edward, Chief Programme Analyst, Oracle Implementation, Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
He said there was the need for stronger academia/industry synergy to effectively address challenges to economic transformation and achievement of sustainable development in Africa.
Alake noted that academic institutions drove research and ideas, while industry ensured implementation, scalability, and impact.
“This is not just a conference; it is a decisive call to bridge academia and industry gap, align research with real-world needs, and deliver innovative and scalable solutions for sustainable growth and global competitiveness,” he said.
