Prof. Barde Delivers 56th Nasarawa State University Inaugural Lecture

Professor of Business Administration, Barnabas Embugus Barde, of the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Administration, on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, delivered the 56th Inaugural Lecture of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

The lecture, titled “Business Administration in the Digital Age: Navigating the Impact of Business, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Data Analytics and Entrepreneurship (BARDE)”, was held at the University’s Assembly Hall and attracted a distinguished audience of university management, academics, students, and invited guests. Attendees described the lecture as timely and insightful, offering a compelling framework to advance business administration practice and scholarship in the digital era.

In her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Mohammad Maikano Ari, commended the Inaugural Lecture Committee for its consistency and excellence throughout the year. He congratulated Professor Barde for his commitment to academic distinction and highlighted the importance of the lecture theme.

Professor Ari emphasized that the topic presents an opportunity to unlock the potential of Nigerian businesses and stimulate economic growth both locally and globally. He appreciated the presence of guests and urged them to actively engage with the lecture’s rich content.

Earlier, Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, Professor O. J. Jayeoba, in his welcome address, congratulated the lecturer for attaining this significant academic milestone. He applauded the committee members for their tireless efforts, noting that the Inaugural Lecture series reflects NSUK’s strong commitment to societal and national development through cutting-edge research.

Delivering his lecture, Professor Barde underscored the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Data Analytics in shaping global economic activities. He observed that modern Business Administration is experiencing rapid disruption, with robotics and intelligent technologies now central to efficiency, cost reduction, and the creation of new opportunities in entrepreneurship and management.

He highlighted notable impacts of AI and Data Analytics, including the generation of $2.9 trillion in business value and the recovery of 6.2 billion hours of worker productivity through automation and enhanced decision-making. He explained how these technologies enable routine task automation, large-scale data processing, pattern recognition, and improved targeting and personalisation in marketing.

Professor Barde proposed the B.A.R.D.E. Model as an innovative framework for understanding the complex and dynamic interplay between Business, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Data Analytics, and Entrepreneurship key drivers of innovation and growth in today’s digital economy. He stressed that businesses must not only leverage these tools but also remain aware of associated risks, committing to investment in research, experimentation, and continuous innovation.

According to him, the BARDE Model holds wide applicability across business domains, including marketing, advertising, dividend policy, micro-financing, accounting, and taxation.

During the goodwill messages, the Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Professor Abdullahi Danjuma Zubairu, Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, and Pastor David Phillip each congratulated the lecturer, commending his dedication, hard work, and remarkable contributions across various sectors.

The event reached its peak with the presentation of a medal of honour and a commemorative plaque to Professor Barde by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to academia and national development. A group photograph followed to mark the memorable academic occasion.