A renowned Professor of Philosophy, Solomon Akinyemi Laleye, has identified the collapse of Africa’s moral infrastructure as the root cause of the continent’s developmental challenges.
He stressed that families, schools, and communities must recommit to their ethical responsibilities, while institutions of governance must uphold justice and accountability to foster a generation of morally grounded and development-driven citizens.
Prof. Laleye made this assertion on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, while delivering the 41st Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, titled “The Ethics of Complementarity and the Third Face of the Coin: An Indispensable Route to Integral Human Development.”
“Africa’s pathway to integral human development is inextricably tied to the revival of its moral infrastructure,” he said. “The ethics of complementarity and the recognition of the ‘third face of the coin’—a perspective that transcends binary oppositions—offer an indispensable route to achieving this goal.”
He underscored the pivotal role of the family as the first institution of socialisation, bearing the primary responsibility of instilling values in children. “At the formative stage, a child’s mind is a Tabula Rasa—a blank slate—open to the imprinting of moral and ethical principles. Parents must conscientiously embrace their role in nurturing virtues such as honesty, empathy, and responsibility,” he said.
According to him, schools represent the next critical pillar in moral development and must be restructured to prioritise ethics alongside academic excellence. “Beyond equipping students with cognitive and reasoning skills, education must foster moral consciousness. Ethics should be embedded in curricula to cultivate a sense of justice, integrity, and respect for others,” he added.
Prof. Laleye further called for the strengthening of the judiciary and other institutions of governance as custodians of justice and ethical accountability. “For integral human development to be achieved, institutions must uphold and enforce ethical standards in governance, public service, and social interaction. Justice must be impartial, and ethical violations must be addressed firmly and fairly to restore public trust,” he emphasised.
He argued that true development cannot be achieved through technological or economic advancement alone, insisting that “progress must be ethically grounded.” Using the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus, he illustrated that while Daedalus symbolises innovation and rights, Icarus’s fall serves as a cautionary tale against the neglect of responsibility and moderation. “Without a moral compass, innovation may lead to unintended harm rather than societal good,” he warned.
Prof. Laleye also stressed the need to align justice with peace by fostering the interdependence of ethical foresight and responsible action. He described the third face of the coin as “a deeper understanding of progress—one that transcends binary thinking and unites creativity with wisdom. This holistic view advocates development that balances individual aspirations with communal well-being.”
Reflecting on Africa’s traditional societies, he noted they were anchored in duty ethics rather than individualistic rights.
He recalled how values such as respect for elders, care for the vulnerable, communal labour, environmental stewardship, and collective conflict resolution once ensured social harmony. The erosion of these principles, he said, has significantly contributed to Africa’s current challenges.
To reintegrate duty ethics into contemporary society, Prof. Laleye proposed several practical steps: re-evaluating cultural philosophies such as Ubuntu and Omolúàbí, incorporating ethics into educational curricula, promoting community service, encouraging intergenerational dialogue, and fostering leadership rooted in responsibility rather than self-interest.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, commended the Inaugural Lecturer, saying, “Today, we come together to honour one of our own, Professor Solomon Akinyemi Laleye, a respected academic whose scholarly contributions exemplify intellectual depth, integrity, and tireless devotion to both his discipline and the advancement of this University.”
