Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, a professor of Communication, Media and Development. made the call at the 2021 Caleb University International Conference in Lagos, with the theme: “Future forward: Disruptive innovations what next?” Disruptive innovation refers to innovations and technologies that make expensive or sophisticated products and services accessible and more affordable to a broader market.
He said it was high time intellectuals and governments did things differently to reposition Nigeria and Africa in a rapidly evolving knowledge-based world.
“For you to remain relevant, you must be ready to show that you are different,” the VC said.
In his address, Prof. Muritala Awodun of Crown Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara state, urged individuals to create values within their society through entrepreneurship.
“Nigerians should not wait for the government before they can be productive. Everybody should make themselves vessels of change to ensure development in the country,” he said.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Prof. Adedeji Daramola, said the conference aimed to brainstorm ideas that could address challenges in the nation and Africa.
“We want to come up with creative ideas that can break limitations in Africa. People thought Africa is backward but most African nations are leading in some areas at the global level,” Daramola said.
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Mrs Ifedolapo Ademosu, a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University, urged intellectuals to proffer sustainable solutions that could move Nigeria forward.
According to her, people should leverage local knowledge in solving local problems.
She said governments should engage people at the local level, who are ready to make a difference before implementing ideas.
The conference had participants drawn from different disciplines to discuss the way forward on advancing Nigeria’s technological capacity and making intellectuals thrive.
