A philosopher and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) at the Lagos State University, Prof Taiwo Oseni Afisi, on Tuesday, called on scholars, educators, policymakers, and technologists to move beyond simply collecting data and instead build societies guided by wisdom deeply rooted in African philosophy.
Afisi, a professor of Philosophy of Science, Logic and Critical Rationalism, made the call while delivering the 108th Inaugural Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU).
The inaugural lecture was titled, “The Oracle and the Open Society: Rethinking the Evolution of Authority and the Pursuit of Epistemic Justice in African Philosophical Thought.”
Afisi wears a title of many firsts – first indigenous professor of philosophy in Lagos State University; first to deliver inaugural lecture in philosophy in LASU; and first professor of philosophy to attain the DVC position at the university.
For about two hours, Afisi stood before the congregation comprising distinguished academic scholars, the university community, traditional rulers, current and former students, friends and families, highlighting his contribution to scholarship and a pivotal role he had in the growth and transformation of LASU, contributing not only through “my scholarly achievements but also through a sustained and impactful administrative career spanning nearly two decades.”
The Inaugural lecturer emphasized that in a world increasingly governed by algorithms and Artificial Intelligence, it is no longer enough to be informed, but societies must be inspired by ethical, historical, and culturally-grounded wisdom.
The professor told scholars, educators, policymakers, technologists, and cultural custodians to reimagine knowledge production and application through the lens of African values and epistemologies.
“To Scholars,” he said, “we must rethink epistemology beyond the Western canon and embrace epistemic pluralism by engaging indigenous knowledge systems. Research must be rigorous, but also socially responsive.”
Afisi also called on educators to overhaul curricula at all levels, integrating African perspectives in science, logic, and ethics.
According to him, beyond tokenism, we must reflect the depth and contemporary relevance of African philosophies, using dialogical reasoning and rooted teaching methods.
He advocated for a plural approach to knowledge regulation and curriculum design.
To Africa’s tech community, the philosopher said “Technological development in Africa must go beyond adoption to active design and innovation grounded in African values.
“AI systems must be built with transparency, fairness, and communal accountability at their core. Algorithmic decision-making tools should be subjected to ethical scrutiny informed by African communitarian ethics such as Ubuntu. Innovation hubs and tech curricula should incorporate training in philosophy of technology and digital ethics from African perspectives.
“To Cultural Custodians and Community Leaders: The preservation and revitalisation of indigenous knowledge must be prioritized, not as artefacts of the past, but as living, adaptive systems. Oral traditions, symbolic systems, and communal governance practices must be documented, taught, and integrated into modern civic life. Community elders and custodians of culture should be recognised as co-educators and co-thinkers in shaping Africa’s intellectual and moral future.”
The DVC posited that wisdom “is not merely the possession of knowledge, but the just and meaningful application of it.”
He sought for African societies where technological advancement is tempered by moral insight, where education is guided by critical consciousness, and where governance reflects dialogue and dignity.”
Afisi concluded: “Let Africa not only thrive in data but lead in wisdom. Let the oracle speak. Let the algorithm listen. Let the people reason together.
“And may the African open society not be a borrowed idea, but a living tradition, critically reconstructed, philosophically grounded, and ethically sustained.”
