Unilorin Hosts 6th AFRICALICS as Scholars Chatted Ways for Innovation and Digital Technology of Africa

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It was a gathering of scholars from Nigeria, some African and European countries at a brainstorming session to fashion a better future for education and development in the continent through digital revolution last week.

While declaring open the Conference organised by the African Networks of Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems (AFRICALICS), themed "The Africa We Want: Leveraging Innovation and Digital Transformation”, the Vice Chancelor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Olasupo Wahab Egbewole urged the participants to design the road map that would take Africa to that destination.

The legal luminary, who is also the Secretary General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), promised that the Conference would find the University of Ilorin a worthy partner in its journey of taking Africa to its dream destination.

In his address at the event, the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was represented by the Director of Artificial Intelligence Unit of the Ministry, Dr. Olubunmi Ajala, noted that the Federal Government is determined to make Nigeria competitive in the Digital Age.

The Minister revealed that while it had taken Nigeria 20 years to lay fibre optics of a 30-kilometre distance, the current government is laying the foundation to complete 90 kilometres of fibre optics while also embarking on the largest digital talent hunt ever known in the world with the 3MTT programme in which the third cohort of 90,000 participants has just kicked off.

In his address, the President of AFRICALICS, Prof. Daniel Kitaw, pointed out that Africa must innovate for itself and embrace trading, banking, digital literacy and partnerships to bridge the digital divide. He noted that even the most marginalised societies can be equipped with digital skills and infrastructure.

Prof. Kitaw also called on African governments to make policies that support innovation and tehnology.

On her part, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Kemi Omotesho, said that the time is right for Africa to turn its dream of progress into tangible reality. She appreciated the University of Ilorin for hosting the Conference without external funds

The Keynote Speaker, Prof. William Siyanbola, who addressed the gathering virtually, called for a coordinated approach that integrates technology and innovation in Africa's development strategy.

The conference, which ended last Friday (November 15, 2024), attracted participants from all over Africa and some European countries.

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