The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has commissioned its remodelled Centre for Digital Humanities and the Executive Postgraduate Lecture Suite, marking a significant development in digital research and postgraduate education in Nigeria.
The commissioning took place at Suites 302 and 303, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG Main Campus.
The Centre for Digital Humanities is the first of its kind in Africa, positioning the university as a pioneer in the development of digital humanities on the continent.
Speaking during an interview at the event, the Director of the Centre for Digital Humanities, Professor Tunde Ope-Davies, explained that his experience in Germany inspired him to introduce digital humanities to Nigeria. As a member of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation network, he travelled to Germany, where he gained knowledge of the field and later decided to bring his experience back to Nigeria to establish a centre that would promote digital research and learning.
Professor Ope-Davies highlighted the collaboration between Germany and the University of Lagos, particularly the support provided through research funding, scholarships and academic partnerships. He noted that such collaborations contribute to the development of researchers and the advancement of knowledge in Nigeria.
He also discussed the role of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the development of digital humanities education in the country. According to the director, UNILAG pioneered the introduction of a digital humanities curriculum, with the programme commencing in 2022. He noted that the university’s efforts were part of broader developments aimed at making digital humanities an established field of study in Nigerian universities.
The director further highlighted the NUC’s involvement in training and guiding universities on the use of artificial intelligence (AI). He explained that the commission had organised AI training and was working towards a framework to guide its appropriate use in higher education.
On the growing influence of AI, Professor Ope-Davis maintained that the technology was now a reality that students and researchers needed to understand. However, he stressed that it must be used ethically and responsibly, adding that students should not allow AI to replace their critical thinking, creativity and independent contributions.
He encouraged students to use AI as a research aid while ensuring that their own ideas and understanding remained evident in their work. He also emphasised that students should go beyond writing theses to producing digital projects that demonstrate their knowledge and practical skills.
Speaking about his plans for the next five years, Professor Ope-Davies identified the establishment of a standalone building for the centre as one of his major goals. He also expressed his desire to produce graduates and researchers whose work would make meaningful contributions to society.
The commissioning of the remodelled centre and lecture suite represents another step in UNILAG’s 8efforts to expand research opportunities and strengthen postgraduate education. As Africa’s first Centre for Digital Humanities, the facility is expected to support innovation, interdisciplinary research and the development of digital skills among students and researchers.
This version includes the NUC’s role in curriculum development, AI training and policy guidance, while giving greater prominence to UNILAG’s position as the first in Africa. It also retains Professor Ope-Davies’s personal motivation for establishing the centre and his future plans.