Chinedu Okafor & Toye Fisher
At the heart of Africa’s dynamic search for innovation-driven growth, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has become a hub for thought leadership and academic dialogue. This was evident once again as the university’s Faculty of Management Sciences recently hosted its 2025 International Conference, themed *“Artificial Intelligence: Disruptions in Management and Emerging Issues in Africa.”
For three days ( from October 28 to 30, 2025), the serene Oye-Ekiti campus transformed into a global arena of ideas. Eminent scholars, policymakers, and professionals from within and outside Africa converged to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining management, governance, and decision-making systems on the continent.
Artificial Intelligence, once perceived as a futuristic concept confined to Silicon Valley, is now at the center of economic transformation. But as Africa grapples with structural challenges, scholars at the conference argued that the continent must define its own path for integrating AI ethically, contextually, and sustainably.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Abayomi Fasina, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Tajudeen Opoola, underscored FUOYE’s commitment to technological advancement through research. He emphasized that the university remains a driving force in shaping national and continental conversations on innovation and technology-driven management.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Babatunde Afolabi, described the conference as “a call to rethink how we manage people, processes, and organizations in the age of technology.” He noted that Artificial Intelligence is not merely transforming business systems but also reshaping how leaders approach governance, human capital, and financial management.
Professor Afolabi explained that the conference was designed not just as an academic exercise, but as “a platform for connection, collaboration, and innovation,” where ideas meet practice to inspire sustainable growth across Africa. He lauded the organizing committee for curating a robust program that brought together experts whose insights cut across economics, technology, and policy.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Babatunde Olusanya, said the gathering reflects FUOYE’s rising profile as a center for cutting-edge research and intellectual exchange. He described the event as a strategic platform to engage policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders in conversations that could shape Africa’s readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This conference,” Dr. Olusanya said, “was conceived to stimulate high-level discourse on how AI can drive innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen decision-making across sectors. Beyond theory, we aim to translate knowledge into actionable policies that reflect Africa’s unique development realities.”
Another thought-provoking paper came from Professor Owolabi Mukaila Bakre of the University of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In his keynote presentation titled “Globalization and Western Accounting Regulatory Framework as Smokescreen for Trans-Organized Financial Crime: Nigeria as a Case Study,” Professor Bakre challenged conventional thinking on global finance and accountability.
He argued that existing international accounting and regulatory systems dominated by Western powers often serve as instruments for economic exploitation rather than reform. According to him, frameworks like the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) have, in some cases, entrenched inequality and contributed to capital flight from developing countries.
“Developing economies,” he said, “must embark on reforms that are relevant to their socio-political and economic environments. Africa must strengthen its own institutions, regulatory systems, and ethical governance if it truly wishes to benefit from the global digital economy.”
Professor Bakre also issued a caution about Artificial Intelligence itself. While AI holds tremendous potential for transparency and efficiency, he warned that it could equally be weaponized by global auditing firms to conceal financial misconduct. For this reason, he called for a framework of ethical regulation that ensures AI serves accountability rather than exploitation.
The Keynote Address, delivered by Professor Taiwo Asaolu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Osun State (represented by Professor A.O. Adaramola), offered a broader view of how AI is disrupting management practices. He described AI as a “living force” that has redefined how organizations plan, strategize, and compete.
Citing Rousseau and Movic (2021), Professor Asaolu defined AI as the design of computer systems capable of performing tasks that require human intelligence such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making. He noted that AI is driving efficiency through predictive analytics, automation, and data-driven decision systems across sectors such as finance, logistics, and human resource management.
“From predictive modeling to financial forecasting,” he said, “AI is changing the logic of management. It allows organizations to anticipate shifts, model consumer behavior, and optimize resources. But Africa must also confront its readiness in infrastructure, regulation, and ethics to deploy AI responsibly.”
Adding to the retinue of presentations, Professor Sunday Adebisi, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), emphasized that AI should not be viewed as a threat but as a tool to enhance managerial efficiency. He described it as “a system that allows machines to learn, think, and behave like humans,” helping managers make more precise and informed decisions.
According to Professor Adebisi, management and AI share a common foundation which is especially in decision-making. “If managers fail to understand how AI aids decision-making, they risk being displaced by technology,” he said. He stressed that Africa’s challenge lies not in resisting AI but in preparing its workforce and institutions to use it productively.
He further explained that AI has already disrupted traditional management processes, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated global digital transformation. However, for Africa to harness AI fully, he advocated for ethical governance, digital literacy, and localized innovation as prerequisites for success.
By the end of the three-day event, one message should resonate clearly- “Africa must not remain a passive consumer of technology, but an active innovator in shaping the global AI landscape”.
Participants agreed that technology should not only serve efficiency but must also advance social equity, accountability, and sustainable development.