As university students across Africa and the United Kingdom converged at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for the third Umoja African student leaders network summit, the young scholars have been charged to uphold the uniqueness of African culture amidst technological advancement.
The summit, which marked the commencement of a week-long celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day, featured speakers from UNILAG; Stellenbosch University, University of Free State, Wits University and the University of Cape Town from South Africa.
The participants deliberated on matters concerning the role of technology in preserving African culture and proffer solutions that can use digital platforms as a tool to connect, boost good governance and ethical leadership among student leaders.
The UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, stressed the need for youth inclusion and collaboration to actualise the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 – Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
Ogunsola noted that Africa has 1279 accredited universities and commended the student leaders network for taking the initiative to discuss the way forward.
“We are glad to add new universities to this leadership network, 75 per cent of Africa’s population are youths. They are the hope we have to achieve the Africa we want,” Ogunsola stated.
Speaking on the objectives of the summit, the Dean of Student Affairs, Musa Obalola, said the gathering is to encourage student leaders to align their research on sustainable development in Africa and the Agenda 2063.
“If we must solve African problems, we must collaborate with other African countries particularly the youth to proffer solutions,” he said.
Obalola said the summit would encourage collaboration for solutions, promote good governance and ethical leadership among student leaders.
Besides, he noted that the meeting would encourage the use of digital platforms as a tool to connect student leaders in Africa to share ideas, information and research for the development of the region.
The Director of the Institute of Africa and Diaspora Studies (IADS), UNILAG, Muyiwa Falaiye, during his presentation as the guest speaker, said Africa has not done well in terms of technological advancement because of its “over-reliance on the West.”
“So, I challenge young people to develop the kind of technology that is fit for purpose, Falaiye said.” Representing the University of Dundee and Scotland, Peter McEleavy said the university has a long tradition of connecting with Nigerian students who have come to the university to study, particularly in the field of energy, management and law in the last four decades.
He shared that under a new strategy, the University of Dundee wants to do more to work in partnership with institutions across the continent.
On her part, Busisiwe Dlamini from the South Africa Consulate General in Lagos, said the summit is not just about South Africa and Nigeria’s collaborations, but also about Africa, achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and achieving the UN sustainable development goals.
