The Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, has called on Nigerians to embrace continuous reading and learning as essential tools for success in the digital age.
He made the call while speaking at the institution’s fifth public lecture held on its Abuja campus. The lecture, themed Innovation and Leadership in the Digital Age Perspectives from Ireland, brought together academics, diplomats and policy stakeholders to examine the intersection of knowledge, innovation and leadership.
Delivering an address titled Readers and Leaders Learners are Earners, Professor Adedimeji described the present era as one driven by networks, the Internet of Things, digitisation, globalisation and the knowledge economy. He explained that value creation in today’s world increasingly depends on intellectual capital rather than manual labour.
According to him, the knowledge economy thrives on discoveries, applied research and digital strategies, noting that many workers now create codes, designs and research outputs that have no physical form. He stressed that in such an environment, individuals who fail to continuously update their knowledge risk being left behind.
“In the digital age of the existing knowledge economy, readers are leaders and learners are earners,” he said, adding that innovation and leadership are interdependent. “If you want to lead, read. If you want to earn more, learn more. Leaders innovate to elevate.”
The guest lecturer, Paddy Harte, a leadership consultant and former Senior Lecturer at the Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, argued that innovation does not necessarily mean inventing something entirely new. He said it can also involve improving existing ideas to reach wider audiences and create greater impact.
Harte noted that modern leadership has evolved from command based systems to collaborative models that encourage experimentation and diverse perspectives. He urged participants to remain open minded, stating that innovation flourishes when leaders create environments where ideas can grow.
The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, who attended as special guest of honour, reinforced the message of openness and collaboration. He encouraged young Nigerians to value constructive relationships, citing an Irish proverb that says a friend’s eye is a good mirror.
The event featured goodwill messages from participants and the presentation of award plaques to Ambassador Ryan and Harte by the Vice Chancellor, alongside the Registrar, Mrs Emilomo Ogunboye.
