Why varsities must evolve into innovation ecosystems – Opara

Dr Ken Opara, the immediate past President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, said universities and other organisations must evolve into innovation ecosystems and not just centres of instruction.

Opara was the guest speaker at Trinity University Faculty Lecture Series on Thursday in Lagos.

He said that every institution must go beyond theory to embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving across all disciplines.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was organised by Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences of the university.

It  was entitled: ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Opportunities and Challenges in a Digital Era’.

Opara,  also Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc., said institutions that embraced research and digital innovation would lead national progress in the AI era.

“In this digital era, progress will not depend solely on machines, but on humans who use them with wisdom and compassion,” he added.

He noted that Trinity University was already incorporating AI into its curriculum.

“This will go a long way to equip students with practical skills in AI and other technology fields, with instruction provided by faculty with real-world industry experience in AI,” he said.

Opara also noted that the university had been hosting discussions and conferences that focused on AI’s role in various fields.

He said that AI was transforming not only how economies grew but also how people worked and learnt.

“The World Economic Forum (2025) projects that 170 million new roles will emerge globally by 2030 and 92 million existing roles may become obsolete.

“Seventy  per cent of new jobs by 2035 will require some form of digital competence.

“AI will not destroy work. The most valuable workers will be those who merge digital fluency with human insight (creativity, ethics and empathy).”

Opara said that nations would thrive not through technology alone, but also through people who would use technology wisely and ethically

He said that governments had a pivotal role to play in ensuring that AI would not widen inequality.

He urged governments to invest in digital infrastructure, broadband access and education reform.

Opara called for policies that would encourage innovation while protecting privacy, security and human rights which, he said, were critical.

He added that AI would promote evidence-based governance and smart services and  encourage entrepreneurship and new technology sectors.

He also said that it would  build national competitiveness through innovation.

He said that there was need  for policies to make Nigerian youths to be active consumers of AI technologies.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, said the lecture’s theme was timely.

He  reiterated the institution’s commitment to fostering innovation, critical thinking and digital readiness among its students.

Kolawole said that students, professionals and institutions must strive to understand digital transformation and strategically position themselves to navigate emerging opportunities and challenges.

He said that AI was reshaping industries, accelerating scientific discoveries and redefining scholarship.

Kolawole said that the speed of technological advancement required deliberate attention, stronger awareness and proactive action from all key stakeholders.

He advised the students to be inquisitive and engage actively with discussions that would prepare them for careers where technology and AI would significantly influence workplace expectations, professional growth and long-term employability.

In his remarks  the Acting Dean, Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Dr Isaac Fadeyi, said that the lecture marked a significant moment for the faculty.

Fadeyi said that the lecture series provided a platform to strengthen intellectual engagement.

“We must embrace innovative ideas, explore technological possibilities and equip ourselves with relevant skills to remain active contributors to societal progress and beneficiaries of opportunities created within an evolving digital world.”