FUNAAB VC Advocates Inclusive Technology, Women’s Empowerment at NAUW International Conference

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has advocated inclusive technological advancement, responsible resource management and stronger intergenerational collaboration as essential measures for achieving sustainable and equitable development.

He made the call on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during the opening session of the 2nd International Hybrid Conference of the Nigerian Association of University Women (NAUW), held at the Green Chamber of the Senate Building, FUNAAB.

The conference, themed *“Enhancing Sustainable and Equitable Development Through Intergenerational Impact and Inclusive Technology,”* examined the role of technology, education, mentorship and collaboration across generations in advancing sustainable development and expanding opportunities for women and younger people.

Represented by the Head of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering (ABE), Prof. Pius Dada, the Vice-Chancellor described the theme as timely, noting that sustainable development required prudent resource utilization, investment in human capital, strong institutions and continuous innovation.

He urged universities to extend their contributions beyond teaching and research to include entrepreneurship, community development and practical solutions to societal challenges.

Prof. Kehinde also commended NAUW for promoting women’s advancement, girl-child education, mentorship and leadership development. He encouraged the Association to strengthen partnerships that would expand opportunities for women and younger generations.

He further applauded the FUNAAB chapter for hosting the conference for two consecutive editions, adding that the hybrid format would broaden participation and encourage wider engagement.

NAUW Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Education and Mentorship

In her address, the National President of NAUW, Prof. Comfort Onifade, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to lifelong learning, mentorship and the empowerment of women and girls.

She noted that NAUW, which is affiliated with Graduate Women International, a Geneva-based organization dedicated to advancing women’s and girls’ education, remained committed to ensuring that women and young people were not excluded from the benefits of technological advancement.

Prof. Onifade urged members to bridge generational gaps through knowledge-sharing, mentorship and digital skills development, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that technological progress creates opportunities for people across different generations.

Keynote Speaker Calls for Women’s Active Role in Shaping Technology

Delivering the keynote address virtually, the Founder and Director of Bee Solutions and Consultancy Services, Cape Town, South Africa, Prof. Beatrice Opeolu, challenged women to move beyond participating in existing systems to actively shaping them.

She highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve research, digital platforms to strengthen collaboration, and technology to help women entrepreneurs access new markets.

However, she cautioned that technological progress would not automatically guarantee equal benefits, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to ensure that women had access to emerging technologies and could influence how they were developed and applied.

Prof. Opeolu identified intergenerational mentorship and sponsorship, digital and AI capacity-building, and collaborative research focused on African priorities as critical pathways to strengthening women’s contributions to sustainable development.

Lead Paper Presenter Proposes Four-Stage Framework for Women’s Inclusion

Also speaking virtually, the Lead Paper Presenter, Sudha Srivastava, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Founder of Smart Sustainable Solutions, United Kingdom, questioned whether development could be considered sustainable if its benefits were not equitably shared across genders, communities and generations.

She presented a four-stage framework comprising access, capability, agency and impact as a pathway for moving women from digital access to meaningful participation and influence.

According to her, providing access to technology was only the starting point. Women must also develop the capabilities to use digital tools, gain the agency to make decisions and exercise influence, and achieve meaningful outcomes through their participation.

Srivastava stressed that women must play an active role in shaping the future of technology, particularly AI, rather than remain passive recipients of technological change.

Her presentation highlighted the need for development initiatives to go beyond introducing digital tools and focus on equipping women with the skills, decision-making power and opportunities required to influence technological innovation.

Guest Speaker Explores AI Applications in Everyday Life

The Guest Speaker, Uwem Martins, Lead Consultant and Human Resources Manager in the United States of America, delivered a presentation titled “AI for Everyday Use,” examining how AI was transforming the workplace and helping individuals apply the technology confidently in their daily activities.

The presentation focused on the practical relevance of AI beyond specialized technical environments, drawing attention to its potential to support everyday tasks and workplace activities.

The session complemented the conference’s broader emphasis on inclusive technology by highlighting the importance of helping individuals understand and apply emerging technologies in their respective fields.

NAUW-FUNAAB President Calls for Inclusive Policies and Stronger Mentorship

Earlier, the President of the NAUW-FUNAAB Chapter, Prof. Emily Ayo-John, called on university women to champion inclusive policies, education, innovation, gender equality, leadership and mentorship.

She appreciated the University Management for supporting the conference and acknowledged the contributions of the chapter executives, members, Local Organizing Committee and other supporters who contributed to its organisation.

The Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Kemi Fapojuwo, also expressed appreciation to the speakers and participants for their contributions to the conference.

The speakers’ contributions highlighted the relationship between technological advancement, women’s empowerment and intergenerational collaboration, emphasizing that sustainable development requires deliberate efforts to expand digital access, build capabilities and ensure that women participate meaningfully in shaping the systems and innovations that affect their lives.

The conference underscored the importance of collaboration among universities, professional associations and other stakeholders in creating opportunities for women and younger generations to contribute to research, entrepreneurship, leadership and technological development.

Photo Credit: FUNAAB Bulletin