Professor Bolanle Ojokoh of the Department of Information Systems of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA has been elected into the prestigious Fellowship of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) in addition to being selected to serve on The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) task force on Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences for the Global South.
In a letter signed by the Secretary General, AAS Governing Council, Friday Okonofua to convey the message to Ojokoh, he wrote “the Governing Council of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) has made its decision on nominations that were submitted for 2025 AAS Fellowship and I am pleased to inform you that you are now an elected Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS). This is based on a series of reviews conducted at various levels following your nomination. Accordingly, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the success of your election to the AAS Fellowship. You can proudly display this recognition by adding ‘FAAS’ after your name and/or signature.”
Similarly, Professor Ojokoh is to serve alongside other globally selected egg heads to address the growing AI divide between the Global North and Global South. The concept of the selection according to a portion of the TWAS newsletter says “this concept note proposes establishing a Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences for the Global South to serve as a strategic and action-oriented group within TWAS’s newly established area on Data and Information Sciences and Technologies.”
The newsletter states further that “the current trajectory of AI development is creating and exacerbating inequalities between developed and developing countries. The Global South faces multiple barriers including digital infrastructure, shortage of AI expertise, weak governance frameworks, and lack of access to high-quality data. TWAS is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its network of over 1,400 Fellows representing 112 countries and its commitment to South-South cooperation.”
TWAS also expects that the proposed task force will provide leadership on one of the defining challenges by leveraging its unique network, scientific credibility and commitment to South–South cooperation to play a decisive role in ensuring that AI benefits are shared equitably across all regions.
Congratulating Professor Ojokoh, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji described the success as a plus to FUTA and a two-in-one task for an energetic and intelligent academic. She said “Professor Ojokoh, through these added roles has demonstrated her intellectual prowess in her field of study. I can beat my chest that she is capable and will deliver on the task force. She is one of our growing academic who has attracted positives to the University. No doubt, a big fish can never be hidden.”
Ojokoh, a Professor of Information Systems at FUTA who is the current Acting Dean, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti has served as Head of Department, Information Systems, FUTA, Adjunct Professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin.
She has served as Co-Chair, TWAS Young Affiliates Network (TYAN, 2021-2013); Executive Board Member, TYAN (2016-2021); Member University Senate, FUTA (2021-Date); and Team Lead, Automated Contact Tracing Research Group (ACTRG), FUTA (2022-Date).
A member of several professional bodies, Ojokoh has attracted research funds to FUTA running into hundreds of million naira with a patent to her credit.
