The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has reaffirmed its commitment to producing future-ready graduates by hosting the British Council Nigeria’s GREAT Talks, a high-level intellectual engagement focused on law, leadership and artificial intelligence (AI).
Held on Monday, February 2, 2025, at the Rahamon Adisa Bello Auditorium, the event drew a full house of students and staff eager to examine how AI is reshaping professional practice and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso E. A. Lesi, welcomed participants and facilitators, describing the programme as a reflection of UNILAG’s culture of learning, dialogue and global engagement.
Professor Lesi noted that platforms such as GREAT Talks provide rare access to global thought leaders addressing forces that are no longer futuristic, but actively transforming society. He stressed that artificial intelligence, robotics, digital transformation, climate change and innovation are redefining how people live, work and lead across disciplines.
He highlighted the two keynote sessions — Law, AI and the Future of the Legal Profession, delivered by Professor Stephen Levett of York Law School, and Project Leadership in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation, presented by Dr Anthony Olomolaiye of the University of Warwick — describing them as timely interventions for both students and faculty.
According to him, exposure to global perspectives bridges theory and practice, reveals emerging career pathways and strengthens the skills needed in an interconnected world. For faculty members, he added, the initiative opens doors to academic exchange, collaborative research and curriculum enrichment.
Professor Lesi further noted that the programme strengthens UNILAG’s position as a centre of academic excellence and global engagement in Africa. Coming shortly after the formalisation of the University’s partnership with the University of Birmingham, the GREAT Talks align with UNILAG’s vision of nurturing globally competitive graduates and thought leaders. He urged students to participate actively, describing the forum as fertile ground for curiosity, critical thinking and innovation.
Law, AI and the Future of the Legal Profession
In the first session, Professor Stephen Levett, Director of the Sustainability Clinic at York Law School, examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal practice. Tracing the evolution of the profession from handwritten notes to digital systems and AI-powered tools, he noted that technologies such as Garfield AI are already transforming tasks like debt recovery.
While acknowledging AI’s growing efficiency, Professor Levett cautioned against overreliance on technology. He explained that generative AI, designed to please users, can produce errors, raising complex questions about accountability and responsibility. He urged participants to embrace AI as a tool, not a substitute for human judgment.
Responding to questions, he noted that AI is now deeply embedded in everyday life and cannot be reversed. However, he warned legal professionals and students against outsourcing critical thinking to machines, stressing the need for continuous innovation to preserve human relevance in the legal profession.
Project Leadership in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation
The second session was delivered by Dr Anthony Olomolaiye, Professor and Head of the Industrial Management Education Group at the University of Warwick. He challenged participants to adapt proactively in an era where AI has become the dominant force of change.
Drawing from research comparing human and artificial intelligence, Dr Olomolaiye discussed projections of AI’s rapid advancement and the increasing convergence of robotics and intelligent systems. He noted that humans and machines will increasingly share workspaces in the near future.
Defining projects as coordinated activities with clear objectives and timelines, he emphasised that the future of leadership lies in Human–AI collaboration. While AI can enhance efficiency, he argued that leadership remains inherently human, requiring empathy, motivation, cultural awareness and influence — qualities machines cannot replicate.
Preparing Minds for a Changing World
The overarching message from the GREAT Talks was a call for lifelong learning, adaptability and intellectual discipline. Participants were encouraged to master emerging technologies without surrendering their capacity for independent thought and ethical reasoning.
GREAT Talks is a lecture series delivered by subject experts from the United Kingdom. Through initiatives like this, UNILAG continues to connect its academic community with global ideas and best practices, offering world-class intellectual engagement from within its campus.
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