NDA’s first female professor harps on big data, AI

By Omobayo Azeez

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), on Thursday, inaugurated its first female professor, Francisca Ugwueleka, a professor of Computer Science and Dean, Faculty of Military Science and Interdisciplinary Studies at the Academy.

Ugwueleka, while presenting her professorial inaugural lecture entitled “Redefining the Future Through Big Data and Artificial Intelligence’’ at the Joseph Garba Hall, Ribadu Campus, evaluated the opportunities inherent in artificial intelligence.

She said that the data offered opportunities towards a sustainable future, especially in the areas of environment, diplomacy, transportation, training and healthcare.

Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, the NDA commandant, while speaking at the event, affirmed the Academy’s resolve to facilitate many of such lectures during the current academic session.

“NDA is committed to providing, among other things, a rigorous intellectual standard for its cadets and post-graduate students,” he said.

The Special Guest of Honour, AVM Christopher Okoye (rtd.), reiterated the importance of ICT, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Okoye, also a former deputy commandant of NDA, noted that any society that chose to ignore the important tools in the life of its citizens and the administration of society would only be doing so at its own peril.

Meanwhile, Ugwueleka’s lecture also dwelt on the symbiosis among the fields of finance, agriculture, security, cybersecurity, communication and defence.

Her lecture also focused on how Nigeria could benefit from expanding the scope of its citizens in the acquisition of such knowledge.

Ugwueleka, who was born in 1974 in Enugu, has garnered a vast teaching experience, having lectured at the Federal University, Wukari, Madonna University, the University of Abuja and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, among others.