Igbinedion University Okada Hosts Landmark AI Summit, Commits to Ethical AI Integration in Higher Education

Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) convened a one-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit on Thursday, February 19, 2026, assembling academics, industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to deliberate on the responsible adoption of AI in Africa’s higher education sector.

Held at the University Library Conference Hall, the summit, themed “AI Dynamics and Ethical Considerations in Higher Education: The Global Shift and Africa's Reality”, explored AI’s transformative potential in teaching, learning, research, and administration while addressing region-specific challenges including data bias, limited infrastructure, accessibility gaps, and cultural relevance.

In his keynote address, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of IUO and Fellow of the Academy of Science (FAS), emphasized AI’s capacity to revolutionize personalized education. “AI can tailor learning experiences to students from diverse backgrounds, making education more inclusive and effective,” he noted, while stressing the importance of ethical safeguards to protect data privacy and prevent algorithmic bias.

Dr. Darlington Onyeagoro, AI strategist and panelist, highlighted AI’s role in bridging the employability gap, advocating for AI-driven skill-matching tools and virtual training platforms to better prepare graduates for the labor market. He urged African universities to invest in indigenous AI infrastructure, reducing dependence on foreign systems and stimulating local innovation and employment.

Addressing academic integrity concerns, Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, former Deputy Executive Secretary (Academics) at the National Universities Commission (NUC), cautioned against misuse of generative AI tools. He called for context-specific AI models, reliable detection mechanisms, and comprehensive ethical training to ensure scholarly standards while respecting Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems.

Panel discussions and interactive sessions explored AI applications in curriculum design, research acceleration, administrative efficiency, and institutional management, with participants reaching a consensus on the need for strict ethical frameworks to prevent misinformation, inequitable access, and the widening of digital divides.

A key resolution from the summit was IUO’s formal commitment to integrate AI technologies responsibly within robust ethical guidelines, positioning Nigerian and African universities as proactive participants in the global AI transition while ensuring inclusive and equitable development.

The summit was widely praised for balancing innovation with responsibility and highlighted the necessity of collaborative policies between academia, government, and industry to maximize AI’s benefits in African higher education.

Through initiatives like this, Igbinedion University Okada continues to spearhead forward-looking educational reforms, reinforcing its status as a pioneer among private universities in Nigeria.