Nigeria’s top scholars and thinkers convened from August 13 to 15 at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), declaring the humanities are not just relevant in the age of artificial intelligence but are, in fact, essential to its ethical evolution. The 27th Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) Convocation brought together the nation’s brightest minds to confront the rapid advance of technology, not with fear, but with a firm resolve to steer it toward a more human-centered future.
The three-day event, themed “The Humanities in the Modern Digital World,” was a landmark gathering where academics, policymakers, and cultural icons addressed the pressing questions raised by AI. The central message was clear: While technology is a powerful tool, it’s the humanities that provide the moral and cultural compass needed to ensure it serves, rather than subjugates humanity.
The convocation was a moment of renewal for the Academy. An online election on July 31st ushered in a new Executive Council, led by the newly inaugurated President, Professor Andrew Haruna. This new leadership, set to serve until 2027, inherits a mandate to champion humanistic scholarship in a world reshaped by digital innovation. The formal inauguration saw Professor Haruna take the helm from the immediate past president, Professor Sola Akinrinade, a transition that signifies continuity and forward-looking vision.
The event wasn’t just about leadership changes; it was a celebration of excellence. NAL inducted 31 new members and invested 13 new regular fellows, including one from overseas, expanding its esteemed ranks.
But the honours extended beyond the academic sphere. The Academy recognised individuals whose work exemplifies humanistic values in public life. His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, and cultural advocates Jahman Oladejo Anikolapo and Dr. Lasisi Olagunju were named Honorary Fellows. In a powerful tribute to artistic and cultural stewardship, Awards of Excellence in Humanistic Practice were conferred upon luminaries like Ms. Emem Isong Misodi, a titan of Nigerian cinema, and veteran broadcaster Laolu Ogunniyi. The Academy also celebrated its elders, recognizing 19 Distinguished Life Fellows aged 80 and above, a testament to their lifelong dedication.
The highlight of the convocation was the thought-provoking lecture by Professor Francis Egbokhare, titled “The Nature of Reality, Humanity, The Humanities, and Modern Digital Technologies.” Professor Egbokhare didn’t shy away from the widespread anxieties surrounding AI—from job displacement to the threat of cognitive decline. Instead, he framed the humanities as the antidote to these fears. He argued that humanistic inquiry—the very study of human culture, history, and values—is not a relic of the past but a fundamental discipline for shaping the future.
“The humanities have always been at the forefront of expanding human imagination,” Professor Egbokhare stated, “and it is this same imagination that must guide the development of AI to ensure it is ethical and human-centered.”
This sentiment was echoed in the scientific sessions that followed. Professor Olukoya J. Ogen offered a historical perspective on AI, acknowledging both its potential to aid research and the risks of reductionist thinking. Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika tackled the untamed landscape of citizen journalism, advocating for collaboration between traditional and digital media to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. She emphasized that a responsible digital public sphere is critical for transparency and good governance.
A particularly poignant discussion was led by Professor Gideon Omachonu, who highlighted the digital marginalisation of African languages. He warned of “digital colonialism,” where the lack of online presence for indigenous languages leads to their neglect and a shifting of identity for many users. While the challenges are immense, he celebrated the grassroots efforts of initiatives like Masakhane, Naijavoices and African Story, which are working to amplify African voices in the digital space.
Following two days of intense discourse, the Academy issued a series of resolutions and recommendations that serve as a clear roadmap for the nation. The key takeaway is an unequivocal call for the humanities to take a leadership role in the AI conversation.
The resolutions underscored that AI is an irreversible force and that humanities scholars must engage with it proactively. The Academy urged a stronger collaboration between scholars, technologists, and policymakers to bridge the gap between humanistic inquiry and technological innovation. It also made a direct appeal to the Nigerian government to address the chronic issue of inadequate educational funding and infrastructure, a problem that threatens to widen the digital divide.
The recommendations laid out a practical framework for action. Humanities scholars were tasked with developing ethical frameworks for AI, curating humanities-based data for AI training, and shaping policies on digital ethics. The Academy also called on government and regulatory bodies to reform media laws to accommodate responsible citizen journalism and to foster synergy between AI, education policies, and scholarship.
For individual scholars and practitioners, the message was simple but urgent: acquire digital and AI competencies to remain relevant in the evolving knowledge economy.
In its final communiqué, the Nigerian Academy of Letters reinforced its core belief: that humanistic scholarship must guide technological progress. The convocation was not just a meeting of minds; it was a reaffirmation of purpose. As Nigeria stands on the cusp of a new digital age, NAL has positioned the humanities as the conscience of this revolution, ensuring that technology serves humanity’s best interests and preserves Nigeria’s rich cultural identity for generations to come.
