OOU Conference Advocates Indigenous Model for Sustainable Development in Nigeria
At the International Conference on Law and Society at Olabisi Onabanjo University, experts advocated for Nigeria to adopt indigenous knowledge and a domesticated constitution to achieve sustainable development.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Experts at the International Conference on Law and Society, held at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), have emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt an indigenous approach to achieve sustainable development. The conference, which ran from July 1 to 4, 2024, featured prominent scholars and legal experts who called for the integration of indigenous knowledge and a domesticated constitution to drive the country's progress.
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Keynote speakers, Prof. Olatunji Ogunyemi from the University of Lincoln, UK, and Prof. Babatunde Oni, SAN, from Lagos State University, Nigeria, stressed the importance of tailoring the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to fit Nigeria's unique context. Prof. Oni highlighted the need for Nigerians to take ownership of their constitution, advocating for the inclusion of indigenous languages in education to foster national development.
During the conference, scholars underscored the necessity of protecting the rule of law through an independent judiciary and a fair legal system. They advocated for active societal engagement in governance, the separation of powers, accountability, and the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
In his address, Prof. Oni emphasized that good governance is crucial for sustainable development, asserting that leadership should benefit everyone and be accountable. He outlined the functions of law, including maintaining order, resolving conflicts, and safeguarding individuals and their assets. He noted that while the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria provides a framework for governance, its socio-economic rights are not justiciable, limiting their impact.
Prof. Ogunyemi, in his keynote address, urged the integration of SDGs into arts, social science, and humanities curricula. He pointed out that global efforts to tackle issues like hunger, poverty, and ill-health are undermined by climate challenges, emphasizing the role of financial inclusion and ICT in promoting sustainable development goals.
The Vice-Chancellor of OOU, Prof. Ayodeji Johnson Agboola, represented by the Provost of the Postgraduate School, lauded the faculties for organizing the conference, highlighting the importance of aligning with societal treaties to promote human rights, good governance, and sustainable development.
Prof. Ayodele Odunlami, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Dr. Gbade Akinrinmade, Dean of the Faculty of Law, both emphasized the abundance of innovative ideas in Nigeria and the need for respect for the law to facilitate national development.
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