The University of Lagos on Tuesday opened the 3rd International Conference and Fair on Land and Development alongside the 7th Lateef Jakande Annual Lecture, bringing together global experts, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to address Africa’s urgent land-use and infrastructure challenges.

Organised by the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), the three-day event is themed “Sustainable Land Development and Urban Infrastructure in Africa.”

Professor Timothy Nubi, Director of CHSD, said the conference is aimed at generating actionable solutions for African cities facing rapid population growth and infrastructure pressure.

“Over the next three days, we will explore innovative finance models, climate-resilient designs, and community-led solutions,” Nubi said. “We intend to leave with implementable actions for Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and beyond.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola urged African leaders to embrace innovation and inclusive planning. She praised the legacy of Lateef Jakande, describing him as a visionary whose commitment to affordable housing still guides development efforts today.

Ogunsola noted the urgency of Africa’s urban crisis, warning that by 2050, an additional 950 million people will move into African cities — with Nigeria’s population nearing 400 million.

“This growth must be managed,” she warned. “Our choices will determine whether it becomes an economic opportunity or a catastrophe.”

Delivering the lead paper, Chudi Ubosi, Principal Partner at Ubosi Eleh & Co., highlighted how outdated land laws continue to hinder development.

Ubosi revealed that less than 10% of Nigeria’s land has proper title, with fewer than 600,000 certificates of occupancy nationwide.

He stressed that the Land Use Act — nearly 50 years old — must be reformed to meet today’s realities.

“This document predates mobile phones; it cannot support modern development,” Ubosi said, calling for deeper stakeholder engagement.

Discussions also covered innovative financing tools, climate-resilient planning, and community-led solutions to address Africa’s urban challenges. Speakers emphasised stronger collaboration among academia, government, and the private sector to drive sustainable urban transformation.

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The European Union (EU) and Nigeria are enhancing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical technological solutions.

Speaking at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said both sides are finalizing a Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement to formalize cooperation between researchers, universities, and enterprises.

According to De Luca, the agreement will promote responsible AI applications that tackle societal challenges, improve productivity, and create inclusive opportunities. He also pointed to the Generative AI for Africa call for proposals, which closes on October 31, as an example of ongoing EU-funded initiatives encouraging cross-continental collaboration.

He added that the EU is working closely with Nigerian institutions, including the National Universities Commission, to boost local research capacity and global competitiveness.

UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, commended the partnership, describing it as a model for equitable collaboration that benefits both regions. “Our researchers gain exposure to global networks and knowledge systems, driving innovation and institutional growth,” she said.

With the theme “Equitable Partnership and the Future of AI in Africa,” the dialogue highlighted the importance of fairness, ethics, and shared knowledge in shaping Africa’s AI future. Both the EU and Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to building inclusive and human-centred innovation ecosystems.

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The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has partnered with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, to launch Africa’s first OpenAI Academy, a major step in equipping students, researchers, and innovators with real-world artificial intelligence (AI) skills designed for African contexts.

Announced during the university’s 5th International Week themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa”, the partnership highlights UNILAG’s growing role in technology and innovation on the continent.

Speaking at the opening, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola said AI presents Africa with an opportunity to “leapfrog systemic challenges” and deliver context-specific solutions.

“This isn’t just about learning technology, it’s about shaping it to serve our people,” she said.

OpenAI’s Africa Lead, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, said the academy will train students, educators, and entrepreneurs in AI tools, including ChatGPT, focusing on sectors like education, governance, and creative industries.

“UNILAG is a model for how AI can be localized. This academy will empower students and serve as a blueprint for Africa,” he noted.

The event also featured Bank of America’s Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Yvonne Ike, who urged African institutions to move faster in preparing youth for a world increasingly driven by AI.

“Africa must lead and define its digital future not wait for others to do so,” she said.

A panel session titled “AI and the Future of African Cities” explored how AI can solve urban and governance challenges. Speakers included experts from the University of Manchester, Future Africa, and UNILAG student innovators.

UNILAG’s international strategy, according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Foluso Lesi, focuses on co-creating solutions that work locally and scale globally.

The university has secured over $28 million in international research funding and continues to form partnerships grounded in equity, mutual value, and innovation.

The academy, hosted at UNILAG’s Innovation and Technology Management Office, is set to deliver hands-on AI training through workshops and labs throughout the week. It will focus on applying AI in education, journalism, public service, and the creative economy.

Representatives from Nigeria’s Ministries of Education and Communications, as well as Lagos State Government, commended UNILAG for positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.

“When young Africans are given tools like AI, they don’t just follow trends — they lead change,” said Dr. Olayinka Adewumi, the academy’s coordinator.

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Nigerian university professors are among the worst paid in Africa, earning an average of $366 (about N500,000) monthly — far below counterparts in South Africa ($57,471 annually), Uganda ($50,595), and Kenya ($48,000). Even countries with smaller economies such as Eswatini, Lesotho, and Sierra Leone pay significantly higher wages.

Lecturers say the poor pay has worsened morale and triggered mass exits. “I opted to forego a Nigerian salary and be paid by the funder. That is the reality of our poor pay,” a professor said about choosing fellowship funding over his university salary. Another recalled a colleague who earned nearly N1 million during a sabbatical but returned to a university salary of just N250,000.

Former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, lamented that poor remuneration has crippled teaching quality. “The lecturers are tired, the morale is low… My son saw my pay slip and described it as a joke. Do you know that some lecturers sleep in the office?” he said.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Piwuna, blamed government neglect, noting salaries have barely changed since 2009. “Professors who were earning a little over N400,000 have still not been able to get to the N500,000 mark… Meanwhile, the political class keeps approving new pay rises for themselves,” he said

Prof. Tunde Adeoye of UNILAG urged urgent action to avert fresh strikes. “The government must improve our living standards and conditions of service to prevent brain drain. Many of our members cannot pay their house rents,” he said.

Source: Punch

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During a recent webinar hosted by the Lagos chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Associate Professor Olayinka Adewunmi of the University of Lagos made this clear.

Adewunmi, who also leads the Innovation and Technology Management Office at UNILAG, said engineering education must evolve. Students, especially women, should be trained to solve real problems using fresh thinking. For her, innovation isn’t just about changing machines. It’s about finding new ways to tackle complex challenges in society.

She urged stakeholders to support programs that highlight the creative talents of young female engineers. These innovation challenges help students explore entrepreneurship, build networks, and gain mentorship. They also boost their confidence. Adewunmi stressed that such programs should inspire new ideas, challenge outdated practices, and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Today’s engineering problems are more complex than ever. And the skills needed to solve them are just as demanding. Adewunmi said engineers must now be strong communicators, good team players, and have a passion for sustainability. They should also know how to use modern design tools and apply classroom lessons to real-world issues. From building homes to water systems, young engineers need hands-on experience that makes a real difference.

Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, APWEN Lagos Chair, backed this message with enthusiasm. She said her chapter is on a mission to grow female participation in engineering. Their SHEnovation program is built to inspire creative thinking, encourage bold solutions, and prepare women to lead. Owolabi challenged young female engineers to think beyond the ordinary. She urged them to embrace technology and use it to change industries and communities for the better.

She added that innovation is not just a buzzword—it is the heartbeat of progress. Female engineers must become problem-solvers who don’t just fix issues but completely rethink how things are done.

As technology changes rapidly and global challenges grow, creative education is no longer optional—it’s critical. The message is simple but strong: the future needs more women who think big, act boldly, and design fearlessly.

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