FUNAAB VC Calls for Inclusive Technology, Women’s Empowerment at NAUW International Conference

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has called for inclusive technological advancement, responsible resource management and stronger intergenerational collaboration to promote sustainable and equitable development.

Prof. Kehinde made the call on October 27, 2026, during the opening session of the 2nd International Hybrid Conference of the Nigerian Association of University Women (NAUW), held at the Green Chamber of the Senate Building, FUNAAB. The conference was themed “Enhancing Sustainable and Equitable Development Through Intergenerational Impact and Inclusive Technology.”

Represented by the Head of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering (ABE), Prof. Pius Dada, the Vice-Chancellor described the theme as timely, stressing that sustainable development required prudent resource utilisation, investment in human capital, strong institutions and continuous innovation.

He urged universities to expand their contributions beyond teaching and research by embracing entrepreneurship, community development and practical solutions to societal challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor commended NAUW for its efforts in promoting women's advancement, girl-child education, mentorship and leadership development. He encouraged the Association to strengthen partnerships that would create more opportunities for women and younger generations. He also applauded the FUNAAB Chapter for hosting the conference for two consecutive editions, noting that the hybrid format would broaden participation and encourage wider engagement.

In her address, the National President of NAUW, Prof. Comfort Onifade, reaffirmed the Association's commitment to lifelong learning, mentorship and the empowerment of women and girls.

She explained that NAUW was affiliated with Graduate Women International, a Geneva-based organisation dedicated to advancing the education of women and girls. According to her, the Association remained committed to ensuring that women and young people were not excluded from the benefits of technological advancement. She urged members to bridge generational gaps through knowledge-sharing, mentorship and digital skills development.

Delivering the keynote address virtually, the Founder and Director of Bee Solutions and Consultancy Services, Cape Town, South Africa, Prof. Beatrice Opeolu, challenged women to move beyond participating in existing systems and take active roles in shaping them.

She highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve research, digital platforms to strengthen collaboration and technology to help women entrepreneurs access new markets. However, she cautioned that technological progress would not automatically translate into equal benefits without deliberate efforts to guarantee women's access to and influence over emerging technologies.

Prof. Opeolu identified intergenerational mentorship and sponsorship, digital and AI capacity-building, and collaborative research focused on African priorities as critical pathways to strengthening women's contributions to sustainable development.

Also speaking virtually, the Lead Paper Presenter, Sudha Srivastava, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Founder of Smart Sustainable Solutions, United Kingdom, questioned whether development could be considered sustainable if its benefits were not equitably shared across genders, communities and generations.

She presented a four-stage framework comprising access, capability, agency and impact to guide the transition of women from digital access to meaningful participation and influence. She stressed that women must play active roles in shaping the future of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence.

The Guest Speaker, Uwem Martins, Lead Consultant and Human Resources Manager in the United States of America, delivered a presentation titled “AI for Everyday Use.” His presentation examined how AI was transforming the workplace and helping individuals confidently apply the technology in their daily activities.

Earlier, the President of NAUW-FUNAAB Chapter, Prof. Emily Ayo-John, called on university women to champion inclusive policies, education, innovation, gender equality, leadership and mentorship.

She appreciated the University Management for supporting the conference and acknowledged the contributions of the chapter executives, members, Local Organising Committee and other supporters.

The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Kemi Fapojuwo, also expressed appreciation to the speakers and participants for their contributions to the success of the conference.