By Waziri Mahdi Isa
The Provost of the Postgraduate College of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. D.O. Okubanjo opened the College’s 3rd Biennial Postgraduate Conference on Tuesday, reviving an academic tradition that had been dormant since 2018.
Prof. Okubanjo said, “this gathering represents more than an academic conference. It signifies the revival of an important scholarly tradition that has been dormant since 2018. Its successful resuscitation under this current administration, led by our amiable Vice-Chancellor, marks a significant milestone in the University’s renewed commitment to research, innovation, academic collaboration, and sustainable development.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, who is the Chief Host of the conference, and the Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo, who served as Chairman of the Occasion, joined other university dignitaries to witness the revival, with the Local Organizing Committee chaired by Prof. M.H Sabari.
According to the Provost, the response to the revival has been overwhelming.
“The response to this year’s conference has been remarkable, 747 participants as at four days ago, 847 papers submitted, representations from 108 universities, participation from six countries across Africa and beyond,” he said.
“These figures demonstrate the growing visibility, academic relevance, national and international reach of the conference. They also affirm the value of providing platforms where scholars and postgraduate students can exchange ideas, showcase their research, and build productive academic partnerships.”
The four-day conference, which runs from Monday 12th to Thursday 15th October 2026, has as its theme: “Innovative Postgraduate Research and Sustainable Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” The programme includes arrival of participants, opening ceremony and plenary sessions, and technical sessions.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Bunmi Ajala, PhD, FHEA, Senior Special Adviser on AI, Data and Research to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Two lead papers were also presented by Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, and Prof. Fatima Batul Mukhtar, Vice-Chancellor of Azman University, Kano.
For the Postgraduate College, the conference is part of a bigger plan, with Prof. Okubanjo announcing that the college is undergoing deliberate reengineering and repositioning to strengthen ABU’s standing as the leading centre of postgraduate education and research in Africa.
“This requires a postgraduate system that promotes rigorous scholarship, impactful research, innovation, and timely completion of academic programs,” he said. “Postgraduate education must therefore go beyond the award of degrees. It must equip students to represent and defend their ideas, respond constructively to scholarly criticisms, publish in reputable journals, establish research networks, and contribute good solutions to challenges confronting society.”
Speaking on the theme, the Provost said it was timely and necessary. He noted that artificial intelligence is already changing how knowledge is created, how data is analysed, and how research is shared.
“We must embrace its opportunities while remaining firmly committed to academic integrity, originality, responsible innovation, and the intellectual accountability of the researcher,” he said. “Our goal is to harness emerging technologies to produce credible knowledge, practical solutions that advance sustainable development.”
He urged postgraduate students to make full use of the opportunity, to present their findings with confidence, engage critically, welcome feedback, and pursue collaborations that can turn research into quality publications and real benefits for society.
“Let this conference be a catalyst for younger research output, stronger research, improved postgraduate completion rates and greater international research engagement,” he said.
The conference, which has brought together over 500 participants also features exhibitions of innovative products and services, over 100 research presentations, and participation from ABU’s 18 faculties.
Okubanjo commended the Vice-Chancellor and university management for their leadership and thanked distinguished speakers, participating institutions, researchers, and the organizing committee for making the revival possible.
“It is my earnest hope that the conference will, henceforth, remain a sustained feature of the university’s academic career, growing in quality and impact with each edition,” he said.
“May our deliberations inspire discovery, our collaborations advance knowledge, and our collective scholarship contribute meaningfully to sustainable development,” he concluded.