ABUAD College of Sciences Hosts 2025 Research Day: Championing Innovation for a Sustainable Future

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), reaffirmed its commitment to transformative research and innovation, as the College of Sciences hosted its 2025 Research Day (COSRED) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. This landmark event at the College’s Auditorium serves as a platform for cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and groundbreaking scientific discourse.

Fostering a Culture of Scientific Excellence

Delivering her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, expressed profound appreciation to the College of Sciences for organizing this pivotal academic gathering. She emphasized that the event reflects ABUAD’s unwavering dedication to fostering scientific inquiry, collaboration, and technological advancement.

“In a world shaped by rapid technological advancements, climate change, and socio-economic transformations, interdisciplinary research is key to developing sustainable solutions,” she stated, underscoring the importance of this year’s theme: “Multi-Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Futures through Science & Innovation.”

A Convergence of Scholars & Groundbreaking Research

Earlier, the Provost of the College of Sciences, Prof. Pius Okiki, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of ABUAD’s Management, Distinguished Guest Speakers, Faculty, and Students.

“This year’s event will showcase over 40 research projects, spanning both oral presentations and poster exhibitions. The program will culminate in the recognition of outstanding contributions, with awards in both categories,” he announced.

The event attracted seasoned scholars from within and outside the university, making it a truly dynamic and intellectually enriching gathering.

The Power of AI in Sustainable Development

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Olumide Obe, a renowned Computer Scientist and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), explored the transformative potential of AI in shaping a sustainable future.

He outlined AI’s game-changing benefits, not limited to: data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, innovation and new solutions, personalization and tailored solutions, scaling impact, enhanced monitoring and evaluation and cost savings.

He, however, cautioned that AI’s potential must be carefully managed to mitigate risks associated with its use and abuse.

“A comprehensive analysis of AI’s impact on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets of the 2030 Agenda found that while AI could support 128 targets, it might also hinder 58 others. While AI offers powerful tools for addressing environmental challenges, it also raises concerns about its environmental footprint and potential misuse,” he noted.

Encouraging Multi-Interdisciplinary Research (MIR) for a Sustainable Future

Another distinguished speaker, Dr. Shakirat O. Ajenifujah-Solebo, Director of Genetics, Genomics & Bioinformatics at the National Biotechnology Research & Development Agency (NBRDA), Abuja, emphasized the urgent need for universities to be more involved in the promotion of interdisciplinary thinking, equipping students with real-world problem-solving skills and fostering cross-sector collaborations

“Policymakers must facilitate funding mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and incentives that encourage Multi-Interdisciplinary Research (MIR) collaborations,” she advised.

Recognizing Innovation & Excellence

The event’s highlights included presentations of groundbreaking research projects and poster displays across various fields of science and technology. The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants in recognition of their contributions.

In her closing remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Arc. Ajenifujah Abubakar, Ph.D., expressed sincere gratitude to the Chancellor, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN, the Bamofin of Yoruba Land, his amiable wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola FSM, FNIMN, FFPA, and the entire ABUAD Management Team for their unwavering support in creating an enabling environment for research and innovation.

“We are grateful for this opportunity, and we believe it will translate into future editions that are even more impactful. COSRED is designed to launch groundbreaking research beyond ABUAD, extending its reach across Nigeria and beyond,” she concluded.

As ABUAD continues to push the frontiers of knowledge and multi-interdisciplinary collaborations, the College of Sciences Research Day (COSRED) remains a pillar of excellence, fostering intellectual discourse, transformative research, and solutions-driven innovations.

FROM THE VC’S DESK