By: Abdulrasheed Olokoto

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has called for homegrown innovations, describing it as vital to sustainable development in Africa.

Professor Adebowale made this call during the 16th Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit organised by the University of Ibadan Centre for Sustainable Development in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Professor Adebowale described technological, institutional, educational, and social policies as the multi-dimensional approaches with which Africa should initiate its homegrown innovation.

Professor Kayode Adebowale further emphasized that innovation is not a luxury, but a necessity for sustainable transformation in Africa.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, solutions to the challenges of Africa must be context-specific and Africa-led.

He further warned that global innovation, if adopted by Africa without the deep understanding of its local, sociopolitical, economic, and environmental realities, is bound to fail.

“The University of Ibadan is at the vanguard of sustainable solutions being Nigeria’s premier university and a leading institution in Africa,” Professor Adebowale said.

Professor Adebowale also commended the Department of Sustainable Studies for sustaining the annual summit, while charging physical and virtual participants to prioritize active participation and forge connections that will advance the development of the University of Ibadan and Africa at large.