LASUED Hosts SHEPAN’s 37th National Conference and Golden Jubilee — VC Says Technology Must Serve Teachers and Learners
Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) hosted the 37th Annual National Conference/Workshop of the School Health Educators and Professional Association of Nigeria (SHEPAN), which also marked the association’s 50th anniversary.
The five-day event, held from Tuesday 4th to Saturday, 8th November, 2025 took place at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Oto/Ijanikin Main Campus, with the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in School Community and Environmental Health Education: Transforming Teaching, Learning and Practice in Nigeria.”
Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing physical and health education, promoting safe learning environments, and reducing environmental health risks.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized human-centered design in technology deployment, insisting that “technology must serve teachers and learners, not the other way round.” She proposed that participants develop a LASUED-SHEPAN communique on responsible AI for health education to guide institutions and states in safely integrating AI into school health programmes.
Speaking at the event, the National President of SHEPAN, Prof. Ujiri Igbudu described Artificial Intelligence as the use of machines and computers to perform tasks requiring human thinking. She said AI is already transforming teaching and professional practice, improving environmental monitoring, and delivering timely community health education across Nigeria while reaffirming SHEPAN’s commitment to advancing school health education.
The keynote address was delivered by the Acting Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. A.O. Adeogun, represented by Prof. Taofik Awosu. He noted that AI enhances leadership, research, problem-solving, and professional growth across industries. While asserting that AI is inevitable, he stressed that it “can only augment and not replace human expertise,” especially in the education and healthcare sectors.
Also presenting, the Lead Paper Speaker, Prof. Benjamin Aribisala of Lagos State University represented by Dr. Adam Lawal explained that AI can mimic human intelligence and reduce the stress associated with academic research. He clarified misconceptions, stating that AI is not taking over humans but serving as a companion to make work easier while also aiding diagnosis and teaching improvements.
In attendance were top university officials, including the Registrar, Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. M. A. Shittu; the Bursar, Mr. Adeniyi Ganiu Ajose; the University Librarian, Prof. Imam Abayomi, as well as various Deans of Colleges and Heads of Departments, who all expressed support for the conference objectives.
