By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, has described hosting of Lagos Studies Association (LSA) Conference as an opportunity to project Africa’s vast potential to the global community through scholarship, research and intellectual engagement.
At a news conference on Tuesday to herald the week-long event, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Clement Kolawole, said that the conference had become a leading platform for discussions on Africa’s future and development.
According to him, the LSA was established a decade ago in New York by African scholars seeking to create a forum for examining Africa’s realities, challenges and prospects through knowledge production and academic discourse.
He said that after its inaugural edition in the U.S., the association resolved that conversations about Africa should be held on the continent, leading to the relocation of subsequent conferences to Nigeria.
“Hosting the LSA Conference has connected Trinity University to global intellectual networks, fostering partnerships, scholarly exchanges and meaningful conversations that advance Africa’s development agenda,” he said.
Kolawole said the university was honoured to host the 10th edition, adding that participants had already begun arriving from different parts of the world for the conference.
He said that the event would also feature seminars, symposia, cultural exhibitions and scholarly discussions.
The vice-chancellor said that Africa was increasingly becoming central to global development because of its enormous human and natural resources.
He said that the continent could no longer be ignored in international conversations about economic growth and innovations.
Kolawole added that Africa possessed critical mineral resources required by developed nations and a growing youth population capable of driving future global progress if adequately empowered and integrated into development strategies.
“Africa possesses immense human and mineral resources essential to global growth.
“Through scholarship and dialogue, the continent can showcase its strengths and attract transformative investments,” he said.
Kolawole said that exposing the world to Africa’s culture, civilisation, intellectual traditions and development aspirations would encourage greater collaboration and investment opportunities.
He said that meaningful development must focus on both Africa’s resources and its people, adding that continued neglect of the continent would ultimately undermine global progress.
In his remarks, the Co-founder of LSA, Prof. Saheed Aderinto, said the conference would deepen conversations on the place of Africa within the global knowledge system.
Aderinto is from the Florida International University, U.S.
He said that the conference, with the theme, ‘African Studies in the 21st Century’, would provide an opportunity to assess the growth of African Studies as an academic field and examine the contributions of the association to its advancement.
“This conference strengthens Africa’s place within global knowledge systems by creating opportunities for critical engagement, collaboration and innovative thinking among scholars from diverse backgrounds,” he said.
The co-founder said that the gathering would have scholars from universities and research institutions across the world as panelists, creating valuable opportunities for professional networking and intellectual exchange.
Aderinto highlighted the economic benefits of the conference, saying the influx of international participants would contribute to tourism and local economic activities.
He added that the association provided a safe platform for rigorous discussions on pressing African issues, including migration, identity, xenophobia and social cohesion, while encouraging evidence-based solutions.
According to him, such conversations are vital in addressing contemporary challenges facing Africans and in shaping new perspectives capable of influencing policy and public understanding.
“Through open conversations and critical scholarship, LSA encourages deeper understanding of African challenges, promotes informed solutions and inspires renewed confidence in Africa’s future.”
Aderinto said that the conference would bw free and open to members of the public, including students and researchers. (NAN)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola