An inaugural lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Akin Ogundiran of Northwestern University, United States, has called on African universities to take control of their knowledge production, indigenise their curricula and strengthen their relevance to societal needs amid a rapidly changing global order.
Ogundiran made the call while delivering the inaugural lecture titled “The African University in a New World Order: Knowledge, Sovereignty, and Relevance” during the inauguration of the university’s 14th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba.
He argued that African universities must move beyond consuming knowledge produced elsewhere and develop the intellectual capacity, research infrastructure and institutional independence required to define their own research priorities and contribute meaningfully to global scholarship.
The lecturer identified knowledge sovereignty as the ability of universities to determine their research agendas, own and control knowledge institutions, and establish equitable partnerships with international institutions.
He maintained that decolonisation of African education should progress towards indigenisation, with African epistemologies, indigenous knowledge systems and historical intellectual contributions occupying a central place in university curricula and research.
Tracing the historical development of the University of Ibadan, Ogundiran highlighted the contributions of early scholars to the development of African-centred scholarship, noting that the continent possessed a rich intellectual heritage that universities should recover and incorporate into contemporary academic discourse.
He cited the university’s contribution to the economy and society, estimating its annual economic footprint in Ibadan at nearly ₦70 billion, while noting that it had produced more than 320,000 graduates since its establishment.
According to him, the university’s greatest contribution extends beyond its economic activities to the human and social capital it has developed over the years.
Ogundiran identified four major global developments reshaping higher education and the international system: the decentralisation of global power, the rise of artificial intelligence, Africa’s demographic growth and climate change.
He warned that increased global engagement would not automatically translate into empowerment for African countries without the necessary expertise, institutional coordination and investment in knowledge production.
On artificial intelligence, the professor cautioned against excessive dependence on foreign AI infrastructure and datasets, warning that such dependence could deepen technological dependency and make African knowledge and perspectives less visible in the emerging global knowledge economy.
He therefore recommended integrating AI literacy across academic disciplines and exploring the establishment of an African AI Institute at the University of Ibadan to promote local innovation, African languages and knowledge production.
The lecturer also called for greater investment in interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial education, urging universities to move away from rigid disciplinary boundaries and encourage students to participate in collaborative, project-based learning.
He argued that students should be regarded as creators and problem-solvers rather than merely recipients of knowledge, proposing collaborative final-year projects involving different faculties to address practical societal challenges.
Addressing Africa’s demographic prospects, Ogundiran noted that only 9.4 per cent of young people in sub-Saharan Africa gain access to higher education, despite the continent’s rapidly expanding youth population and high unemployment levels.
He stressed that universities must help transform Africa’s demographic advantage into economic productivity through education, entrepreneurship, innovation and opportunities for talent development.
He also advocated retaining skilled African professionals and promoting brain circulation rather than brain drain.
On climate change, the lecturer observed that Africa remained vulnerable to environmental challenges despite its relatively small contribution to historical global emissions.
He linked climate pressures to migration, conflict and other social challenges, calling for interdisciplinary research and teaching to develop solutions to the continent’s environmental problems.
To strengthen research capacity, Ogundiran proposed a major endowment drive dedicated to research funding, alongside the establishment of named research grants by alumni to support postgraduate research.
He further recommended elevating the Office of the Advancement Director to executive status, with representation on the university’s Academic Council.
He also urged the University Press to expand its operations and develop into a leading African scholarly publishing institution by strengthening its acquisition and marketing networks.
In his concluding remarks, the lecturer challenged the new university administration to establish clear and measurable priorities, promote ethical and inclusive leadership, and encourage collaboration among staff, students, alumni, government and international partners.
He emphasised that the greatness of a university should be measured not merely by its age but by its capacity to adapt, provide intellectual leadership and contribute to societal transformation.
Ogundiran also celebrated the University of Ibadan’s tradition of debate and critical inquiry, describing these as important foundations for innovation and institutional advancement.
He expressed the hope that the new Vice-Chancellor’s tenure would be characterised by imagination, academic rigour, collaboration and meaningful service.
