COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 18TH ANNUAL AND REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF HERPNET

PREAMBLE

The 18th Annual and Regional Conference of HERPNET commenced with an opening prayer and introduction of guests. The National Anthem was rendered, after which the President delivered his opening address. He welcomed participants and highlighted the purpose of the conference themed Innovating Higher Education with AI: Teaching, Research and Policy Perspectives.

The Founding President and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Professor Joel Babatunde Babalola, in his remarks, noted that while the use of AI is fraught with challenges, its usefulness cannot be obliterated. He called for addressing the challenges through a multidisciplinary approach and culturalisation of AI contents to local contexts.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Oluwatoyin Enikuomehin, ably represented by Professor Olugbenga Akindoju, and the lead paper was presented by Professor Francis O. Egbokhare. Both speakers noted that the challenges of AI in higher education are not insurmountable. Stakeholders – education managers, teachers and learners – should create an enabling environment and adapt to trends in the digital world. Emphasis was placed on digital integrity, digital discipline, value-governance, digital capacitation, and human-centredness.

DECLARATION AND SESSIONS

The Conference was declared open at 10:55 am by the Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, ably represented by the Director, General Nigerian Studies, Professor M.O.B. Mohammed, fHERPNET.

Fellowship awards (fHERPNET) were conferred on Professors A.O. Ayeni, O.B. Okuwa, A.O. Oredein, M.O.B. Mohammed and A.I. Atanda.

The keynote speaker recommended responsible use of AI anchored on three pillars: Documentation (creating awareness), Policy (determining limits of AI use in academic work), and Training (AI literacy for staff and students).

The lead paper recommended:

• Governance of AI adoption through a structured maturity framework, not ad-hoc uptake;
• Building AI literacy, training and access before scaling deployment; and
• Protecting human judgement and academic integrity through policy.

Four parallel sessions were held daily, with over 200 paper presentations (physical and virtual) by scholars from within and outside Nigeria.

On Day 2, a panel discussion on AI Policy in Education was held, moderated by Professor J.B. Babalola, with panellists Dr. Kasali Adeniran Waheed, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education; Professor Olugbenga Akindoju; and Mrs. Oluyomi Agge, DAWN Commission.

OBSERVATIONS

Participants observed that:

• AI has come to stay;
• AI is very useful for research, teaching and learning to improve efficiency and effectiveness;
• AI is subject to misuse and abuse;
• Most AI contents are developed in the Global North and not adapted to Nigeria and the Global South;
• There is limited knowledge of effective use of AI;
• Local knowledge content is poorly represented in AI datasets.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Participants hereby recommend:

• Adaptation of AI use to our cultural context;
• Systematic training and capacitation of students and lecturers across the value chain – curriculum development, teaching, research and assessment;
• Development of local content based on contextual realities, e.g., the Omoluabi ethos which demands integrity in AI use;
• Contextualisation of AI development and utilisation through collaborative multidisciplinary approach;
• Stronger networking between academia and industry.

APPRECIATION

Participants appreciated the hospitality of the host University, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Faculty of Education through the Director, General Nigerian Studies. They commended the Local Organising Committee for a well-organised conference.

CONCLUSION

The Board of Trustees, Executive and Steering Committees of HERPNET appreciate the University, the Vice-Chancellor, the Local Organising Committee and all participants for making the 18th Regional Conference a huge success. Stakeholders are urged to ensure that our education provision is digitally enabled and AI-compliant.