Nigerians have been urged to embrace continuous reading, learning, and skill acquisition as essential tools for success in today’s knowledge economy, just as they were challenged to adopt innovative leadership practices.
The call was made on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, by the Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, during the institution’s 5th Public Lecture themed “Innovation and Leadership in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Ireland.”
Delivering his lecture titled “Readers and Leaders, Learners are Earners,” Prof. Adedimeji highlighted the defining characteristics of the digital or Information Age, including networks, the Internet of Things, digitisation, misinformation, globalisation, and the commoditisation of knowledge.
He described the knowledge economy as one where value is generated primarily through intellectual capital rather than manual labor, noting: “In a knowledge economy, consumption and production are based on ideas, strategies, codes, designs, and applied research. Those who continue to learn and acquire new skills will lead, innovate, and succeed.”
Prof. Adedimeji stressed that in the modern economy, “readers are leaders and learners are earners. Continuous learning equips individuals to solve problems, innovate, and exercise effective leadership. Innovation and leadership are interdependent; leaders innovate to elevate their teams and communities.”
The lecture also featured insights from Paddy Harte, a leadership consultant and former Senior Lecturer at Atlantic Technological University, Ireland.
He emphasised that innovation does not always mean creating something entirely new, adding that it can also involve improving existing ideas for broader impact.
He highlighted that contemporary leadership has shifted from instruction to collaboration and must allow space for experimentation.
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact; everything we see is a perspective,” Mr Harte said, urging Nigerians to remain open to diverse viewpoints to foster innovation.
The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, who served as the special guest of honour, encouraged young Nigerians to be receptive to advice and different ideas, citing the Irish proverb: “Your friend’s eye is a good mirror.”
He added, “Our greatest strength is our willingness to spend time building connections and understanding one another. Interaction and collaboration are as important as knowledge itself.”
The event also saw the presentation of award plaques to Ambassador Ryan and Mr Harte by Prof. Adedimeji, assisted by the Registrar, Mrs Emilomo Ogunboye, alongside goodwill messages from participants.
The 5th Public Lecture underscored the centrality of learning and innovative leadership in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering knowledge-driven development across Africa.
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