The founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has been appointed the pioneer chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP). This announcement was made in a letter dated June 13, delivered to Babalola by a four-man team led by NAAIP President and immediate past Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.
Other distinguished members of the NAAIP BOT include Emeritus Prof. Peter Okebukola, Prof. Rukayat Ahmed Rufai, Prof. Suleiman Ambali, Prof. Anayo Ugochukwu, and Chief Chucks Igwillo, SAN.
In a statement released by ABUAD’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Tunde Olofintila, the appointment was attributed to Babalola’s revolutionary contributions to transforming tertiary education in Nigeria and his keen interest in Artificial Intelligence and other progressive developments.
Prof. Ogunbodede highlighted Babalola’s achievements during his tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he played a pivotal role in enhancing the university’s profile, eradicating cultism, ensuring academic stability, and fostering accountability. Babalola was twice voted the Best Pro Chancellor of Nigerian Universities and served as Chairman of all Pro Chancellors of Nigerian universities, with UNILAG being recognized as the top university in Nigeria during his tenure.
Reflecting on his new role, Babalola expressed gratitude and pledged his commitment to advancing NAAIP’s goals. “I appreciate you and the totality of NAAIP for appointing me as your pioneer BOT Chairman. Your coming to deliver the letter to me is a demonstration of the love and respect you have for me for which I am very grateful,” he stated.
Babalola emphasized the potential of Nigeria, advocating for hard work and a shift from self-aggrandizement to collective progress. “This is a country blessed in all ramifications. We should not find it difficult to produce what we can eat and export the excess. We have people with brains, yet we are not moving forward because we don’t appreciate what we have. We must retrace our steps and stop being interested in self-aggrandizement which will not help us,” he added.
Founded on April 29, 2024, NAAIP aims to advance Artificial Intelligence practices by utilizing computers, machines, or any devices capable of performing tasks traditionally done by humans. The association seeks to confer competence, advantages, and privileges on its members while promoting ethical AI practices crucial for both practitioners and the public.
Babalola’s appointment is expected to bring significant momentum to NAAIP, leveraging his extensive experience and dedication to quality education and technological advancement.