UI Hosts Social Science Conference with 250 Scholars to Solve Nigeria’s Hardship

At least 250 researchers in the social sciences and Humanities will converge on the University of Ibadan to attend the maiden edition of the Annual Ibadan International Social Science Conference.

A statement by the Dean Faculty of the Social Sciences University of Ibadan, Professor Ezebunwa Nwokocha explained that the researchers are coming from the United States of America, South Africa, and Universities across the country to provide evidence-based solutions arising from their research on the problems confronting Nigeria’s development.

According to Professor Nwokocha, the opening ceremony which starts on Tuesday 5 March 2024, will feature a keynote address by a Trustee, of the Social Science Academy of Nigeria, Professor Lai Erinosho while the lead paper presenter is Professor Augustine Okereke immediate past Senior Vice President and Provost, Medger Event College, City University of New York, United States of America.

Professor Nwokocha stated that the University of Ibadan Social Sciences had played critical roles in the formulation of policies and guiding the government on the right policies to adopt that will drive the growth and development needed in Nigeria, adding that this conference is aimed at ensuring that Ibadan Social Sciences take the leadership again.

He added that the conference theme which is “Social Science, Contemporary Social Issues and the Actualisation of Sustainable Development” was carefully chosen to be able to get evidence-based data on how to address terrorism, banditry, problems associated with urbanisation, transportation problems, health problems, policy gaps including social protection, (un)employment and decent work challenges in Nigeria.

“Despite the uninspiring working conditions, Nigerian researchers are probing the problems that affect the country and have findings with recommendations on how these problems can be solved. This conference will aggregate these recommendations and push them out to government and policy actors so that they can come up with evidence-driven policies rather than imported policies which often, lack relevance to the realities on the ground. Ibadan is stepping up to that leadership position again. We are committed to making our country great with our intellectual input. We are hopeful that the government will listen and tap into the evidence and suggestions to drive the needed policies and development initiatives”