… as experts urge ethical, contextual integration of AI into African Management Systems
Chinedu Okafor
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Nigeria has continued to assert itself as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing citadels of academic excellence, recording over 56,000 admission seekers in the 2025/2026 academic year.
This achievement comes as the 14-year-old institution successfully hosted scholars and industry leaders from across the globe for the maiden International Conference of the Faculty of Management Sciences, themed “Artificial Intelligence: Disruptions in Management and Emerging Issues in Africa.”
Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Sunday Abayomi Fasina, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Bolanle Tajudeen Opoola, expressed pride in the university’s steady rise to national prominence.
He noted that despite being relatively young, FUOYE was already competing favourably with older universities in research, innovation and student attraction.
He said: “By the grace of God, as a university that is only 14 years old, we have tried our best, we are developing and living up to expectations.
“Out of over 272 universities in Nigeria, our collective commitment as lecturers, management members, and council leadership has made FUOYE a centre of attraction.
” Everyone wants to come to Oye not because of anything else, but because of our integrity, diligence, and dedication.”
Professor Fasina revealed that the university had attracted more than 56,000 candidates seeking admission in 2025 alone, describing it as evidence of FUOYE’s growing reputation for excellence.
Besides, he assured the audience that professorial promotions would be conducted in strict adherence to due process as part of the institution’s vision to reward merit and uphold high academic standards.
Professor Fasina also applauded the Faculty of Management Sciences for organizing the maiden international conference, which drew over 140 participants from within and outside Nigeria, saying “if this maiden edition has gathered this number of participants, one can only imagine the growth in conference proceedings, journal publications, and research networks that will follow.”
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Babatunde Afolabi, described the conference theme as both timely and thought-provoking, pointing to the realities of a rapidly evolving digital world.
“We must rethink how we manage people, processes and organizations in the age of technology,” he said.
Professor Afolabi emphasized that the conference had gone beyond paper presentations as it was a platform for connection, collaboration, and innovation.
However, he appreciated the Conference Planning Committee for their dedication and thanked partners and sponsors for their support, noting that the gathering aimed to stimulate research that would drive sustainable growth across Africa.
Speaking shortly after, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Babatunde Bayode described the conference as a landmark academic gathering designed to unite scholars, professionals and policymakers from within and outside Africa to deliberate on how Artificial Intelligence was transforming management and addressing emerging developmental challenges.
According to him, the event would serve as a strategic platform for high-level intellectual discourse, cross-disciplinary collaboration and the exchange of ideas that would position Africa as an active player in shaping global conversations on technology-driven management.
Dr. Bayode noted that the insights of the distinguished key speakers would enrich the depth and practical relevance of the deliberations.
Delivering one of the keynote addresses,, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Osun State, Professor Taiwo Asaolu represented by Professor A.O. Adaramola, highlighted the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern management.
He explained that AI is no longer a distant futuristic concept but a living force reshaping global production systems, refining managerial functions and redefining competitiveness.
Citing Rousseau and Movic (2021), Professor Asaolu defined Artificial Intelligence as the design of computer systems capable of performing tasks that traditionally require human intelligence such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making.
According to him, observed that AI is transforming how organizations plan, strategize and interact with their environments, particularly in decision-making, predictive analytics, and financial management.
While noting that for Africa, AI represents both a tremendous opportunity and a serious challenge, Ashaolu said “while it holds the potential to enhance productivity, unlock new industries, and drive socio-economic growth, it also raises concerns about digital inequality, data governance, and workforce displacement.”
Asaolu, however, called on African policymakers and institutions to harness AI responsibly to achieve sustainable development while minimizing inherent risks.
Similarly, Professor Sunday Adebisi, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), demystified AI as a system that enabled machines to learn and behave like human beings.
Professor Adebisi specifically said that AI mirrored human intelligence in language comprehension, reasoning, and perception, and should be viewed as an assistant tool to improve human productivity.
According to him, management and AI shared a common foundation in decision-making, saying “if managers fail to understand how AI can aid decision-making, they risk being displaced by AI-driven processes.”
He stressed that AI had already disrupted traditional management practices, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated global digital transformation.
Professor Adebisi further noted that Africa’s ability to benefit from AI depended on ethical governance, digital skills, and localized innovation, argueing that while AI consumed significant power and resources globally, African nations must invest in technological infrastructure and human capital development to remain competitive.
Also in his presentation, Professor Mukaila Bakre of the University of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, had examined the intersection of AI, globalization, and financial systems, warning that global regulatory frameworks shaped by Western economies often perpetuate inequality and financial crimes in developing countries.
Professor Bakre, however, sought reform-oriented collaboration between developed and developing economies to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Across the three-day event held from October 28 to 30, 2025, participants engaged in technical sessions, workshops, and paper presentations that explored the integration of Artificial Intelligence in management systems.
The discussions emphasized ethical use, regulatory responsibility, and Africa’s readiness for AI-driven innovation.
By hosting this international conference, FUOYE reaffirmed its commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and promoting technology-driven management education that positions Africa for sustainable growth in the digital age.
Photo Credit: Toye Fisher
