Members of the academic community must continue to drive societal advancement through knowledge production, particularly via book publication, a core pillar of university scholarship and a catalyst for national development.
The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Olugbenga Ige, made this call on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, during the public presentation and formal launch of two books authored by Prof. Benson Akinnawonu of the Department of Philosophy.
The newly unveiled books are Critical Thinking, Arguments and Evidence and Fundamental Issues in Epistemology.
Prof. Ige described book writing as one of the most enduring contributions academics can make to society. “As scholars, our primary responsibility is to contribute meaningfully to societal development. One of the most lasting ways to achieve this is by documenting our thoughts for future generations. This is precisely what Professor Akinnawonu has done,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor praised the author for enhancing AAUA’s intellectual visibility, describing him as a diligent and committed scholar who has served the institution in multiple capacities.
He added that book presentations remain an essential part of the university’s scholarly culture and encouraged academics to remain dedicated to such endeavours.
In his welcome address, Prof. Akinnawonu said the books were conceived as both scholarly contributions and practical guides for students, educators, policymakers, and individuals committed to constructive and reasoned dialogue.
Speaking on Critical Thinking, Arguments and Evidence, he noted that the work addresses a pressing global challenge: the erosion of rational public discourse, the spread of misinformation, and the decline in sound judgement. “Our society urgently needs a renewed culture of thinking, one that teaches not only what to think but how to think,” he said.
On the second book, Fundamental Issues in Epistemology, the author explained that it revisits essential philosophical questions about knowledge, truth, justification, belief, and the limits of human understanding.
He said epistemology provides a compass for navigating a world marked by conflicting narratives, disputed facts, and rapidly evolving technologies.
Prof. Akinnawonu expressed profound appreciation to the Chief Host, the Vice Chancellor, for his consistent support for scholarship and research, a commitment he said continues to place AAUA among Nigeria’s leading academic institutions.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the book reviewers, Prof. Zacchaeus Ogundare and Dr. Joseph Balogun.
The Chairman and Chief Launcher, Dr. Jide Adewinle, FCA, lauded the author for distilling years of academic inquiry into works that will serve future generations.
He noted that any scholar who has spent meaningful time in academia should aspire to such scholarly productivity.
He added that Prof. Akinnawonu had successfully documented knowledge and expertise that would serve as valuable reference materials for researchers and scholars across disciplines.
