VC Counsels Nigerians On Continuous Learning, Innovative Leadership

The Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has charged Nigerians to embrace continuous reading, studying and learning as a way of living successfully in the knowledge economy that characterises the digital age.

Prof Adedimeji made the call while addressing the participants at the 5th Public Lecture of the university recently held on the campus with the theme, “Innovation and Leadership in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Ireland.”

In his address titled ‘Readers and Leaders, Learners are Earners’, the ASE VC pointed out that the the digital or information age features networks, Internet of Things, digitisation, long tail, misinformation and disinformation, dematerialisation, globalisation, commoditisation of experience, culture change and knowledge economy.

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He described knowledge economy as the creation of value without manual work as a large number of workers now create strategies, plans, codes, designs and research that are completely digital without any physical form.

The don noted that “in a knowledge economy, consumption and production are based on intellectual capital as the system capitalises on discoveries and applied research.”

Prof. Adedimeji further stressed that the knowledge economy of today demands continuous reading, studying and learning in order not to be left behind.

“In the digital age of the existing knowledge economy, readers are leaders and learners are earners. In other words, if you want to lead, read; and if you want to earn much, learn more. It is those who learn new knowledge and skills that will have the capacity to innovate, solve problems and lead the right way.

“I am sure that perspectives from Ireland on these crucial issues will enrich our understanding of the nexus between innovation and leadership, both of which are interdependent in the sense that innovation is a product of leadership and good leadership is dynamic and innovative. In fact, leaders innovate to elevate,” he said.

In his lecture, a leadership consultant and former Senior Lecturer at the Atlantic Technological University, Ireland, Paddy Harte, noted that innovation does not have to be something new. Instead, it can involve improving upon an existing initiative to reach a wider market.

Leadership is measured by the ability to develop others and sustain impact, Harte posited, adding that modern leadership has shifted from instruction to collaboration and should create room for experimentation.

He urged Nigerians to remain open to different viewpoints stressing that innovation emerges when leaders create the right context for ideas to grow.

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact; everything we see is a perspective,” Harte stated.

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In his goodwill message, the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, who was the special guest of honour on the occasion, advised young Nigerians to be open to ideas and advice, driving home his point with the Irish proverb, “Your friend’s eye is a good mirror”.

Ambassador Ryan recalled that his experience in Nigeria had made him to realise further that meaningful interaction with others is a national strength.

“Our greatest strength is the willingness to spend time getting to know one another and create connections. It is not always what we know but our ability to interact with people that matters,” he said.

The highlights of the occasion included the delivery of goodwill messages by several particpants and presentation of award plaques to Ambassador Ryan and Mr Harte by the Vice-Chancellor, supported by the Registrar, Mrs Emilomo Ogunboye.