The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) on Thursday, August 14, 2025, called for measured perspective in humanities’ interactions with digital technologies, warning that while digital tools cannot replace originality, critical thinking, and rigorous scrutiny, the moderate integration of such tools in the field remains valuable.
The message delivered during its 27th convocation and induction of fellows, held at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium, Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos, Akoka.
Themed,‘The Humanities in the Modern Digital World’, Prof. Francis Egbokhare, erstwhile president of the academy and keynote speaker, emphasised the need to recalibrate the ideology of technology invention.
He stated, “the world needs new thinking and not new gadgets.”
He urged humanities’ scholars to actively participate in the public’s education and awareness on the ethics and responsibility of man in the creation of new technologies alongside their logical and rational uses.
The event, attended by academics, culture custodians, and public dignitaries, featured the conferment of new Regular Fellows across distinct humanities discipline: Prof, Gbemisola Aderemi Adeoti, Prof Chigozie Ariole, and Prof. Aderemi Raji Oyelade, (Literary Studies0; Prof. Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole, and Prof. Temisanren Ebijuwa (Classical Studies, Philosophy, and Religions); Prof. Umaru Alhaji Pate (Communication and Media Studies); Prof. Muhammad Inuwa Umar-Burutai, Prof. Ameh Dennis Akoh, and Prof. Charles Emeka Nwadigwe (Cultural and Creative Arts); Prof. Gideon Sunday Omachonu, and Prof. Obiajulu Augustine Emejulu (Linguistics), and finally Prof. Akinwunmi Ogundiran (History), who was named the year’s Overseas Fellow. Prof Akinwumi Ogundiran is Oversea Fellow while Prof Akinkunmi Adegbola Alao is a regular fellow from 2024.
Two notable figures in Nigerian media, Mr. Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo, former Editor of The Guardian on Sunday and Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, joined the revered monarch, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, as one of its Honorary Fellows for 2025.
The ceremony also featured the conferment of the Awards of Excellence in Humanistic Practice on Mr. Laolu Ogunniyi, Alhaji Teju Wasee Kareem, and Mr. Musa Alao Adedayo.
Instituted in 2023, the NAL Excellence in Humanistic Practice Awards honour professionals, practitioners, and performers outside academia whose innovative and creative works inspire and underpin research, theses, dissertations, and lectures in universities and other tertiary institutions at both graduate and postgraduate levels.
Igwe Achebe is the 21st Obi of Onitsha, in Anambra State. He is chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University since 2015, and was earlier chancellor of Kogi State University. Achebe also serves as the chairman of the board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria, and the Chairman of International Breweries (ABInBev) Nigeria. Before emerging as the Obi of Onitsha, in 2002, he had a career in the Royal Dutch Shell Group serving as Director in various companies in the group.
Achebe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Stanford University in 1966 and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University. In 1979, he attended the maiden Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, near Jos.
Obi Achebe has a strong passion for education as a fundamental factor in national development. In his firm belief that lack of funds should not prevent any child from acquiring a good education, he set up early in his reign a manpower development trust fund for his community. In 2007, he, along with His Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II, the late Ooni of Ife, and His Majesty, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the late Emir of Kano, were guests of the Director-General of UNESCO in Paris to share thoughts on the strategic role of monarchs in promoting the development of science and technology.
Described as a culture warrior by the erudite scholar and poet-laureate, Prof Niyi Osundare, he is “ A true man of the theatre with an uproariously humorous mien and gravely serious inclination mixed in equal proportions, he has learnt to make us laugh at some of our grievous flaws and get deadly serious about what we have come to regard as mere trifles.”
Anikulapo studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan. He began his art journalism career at The Guardian, where he rose to become the Editor of The Guardian on Sunday and The GuardianLife Magazine from 2003 to 2013.
Earlier in the year, Jahman Anikulapo was recognised as UNESCO Defender of Cultural Rights Award 2024.
Anikulapo, 62, founder of Culture Caucus Advocate (CCA), Programme Chair of the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), and Director of iRep International Documentary Film Festival (@irepfilmfestival), has been involved in Nigeria’s arts and culture scene for the past 40 years.
Olagunju is an award-winning columnist and the Editor of Saturday Tribune, one of the most vibrant arms of a foremost Nigerian media house, African Newspapers Limited.
Olagunju is a product of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He was a student there between 1986 and 1990, bagging a First Class Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies.
Fueled by excellence and poised to make a name for himself in a field where he seemed naturally inclined to thrive, He attended the University of Ibadan for his Master’s and doctorate degrees in Communication Arts and Political Communication, respectively, specializing in Social Media and Politics for his Ph.D. Thus, his path was carefully crafted. Another thing that has marked Dr. Olagunju’s life is that he is brilliant academically and humane. Asides from winning various awards at all levels of his academic sojourn, he has also received awards for his integrity.
Kareem, the technical theatre exponent, art entrepreneur and businessman, is the Artistic Director/Chief Executive Officer of foremost technical theatre company, Zmirage Multimedia Company.
Over the years, Kareem has manifested himself as one of the most resourceful producers of theatrical contents, with practice spanning Nigeria to London, to south Africa, the USA, and the Caribbean. Having practised theatre extensively in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, he revolutionised technical theatre practice in Nigeria by setting up Zmirage Multimedia Limited in 1996 to fill the yawning gap created by the absence of world class infrastructure to aid practitioners in that field.
In a historic recognition of his lifelong dedication to indigenous-language journalism and cultural preservation, Mr. Musa Alao Adedayo, publisher of Alaroye newspaper and founder of Alaroye Online TV, received the Maiden Award of Excellence in Humanistic Practice from the National Academy of Letters (NAL).
Receiving the award, Mr. Adedayo said: “This honour is not just mine—it belongs to the Yoruba people whose stories, wisdom, and heritage continue to inspire my work. From the early days of Alaroye to our global reach through Alaroye Online TV, my mission has been to keep our language and culture alive in the hearts of generations to come.”
He added: “It is gratifying to know that the work we do has become a resource for scholars and a bridge between culture and academia. This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue building platforms—like the International Centre for Yoruba Arts and Culture—where history, identity, and scholarship can thrive together.”
The NAL praised Adedayo as a visionary whose contributions demonstrate the enduring power of humanistic practice to shape scholarship, preserve heritage, and unite communities.
