A Professor of Philosophy of Science, Logic and Critical Rationalism at the Lagos State University (LASU), Oseni Taiwo Afisi, has called on African scholars to rethink epistemology beyond the Western standard, urging policymakers, and cultural custodians to build a society that is inspired by wisdom and not one only informed by data.
The Don who is the first indigenous Professor of Philosophy at the University made the call while delivering his inaugural lecture titled, “The Oracle and the Open Society: Rethinking the Evolution of Authority and the Pursuit of Epistemic Justice in African Philosophical Thought” held at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos.
Afisi argued that wisdom is not simply about the possession of knowledge, “but the just and meaningful application of it while also calling for African societies where technological advancement is tempered by moral insight, education is guided by critical consciousness, and governance reflects dialogue and dignity.”
He said, “Scholars should embrace epistemic pluralism by critically engaging indigenous knowledge systems and legitimising their methodologies within global discourse. Research must not only be methodologically rigorous but also socially responsive. Interdisciplinary work that bridges philosophy, science, and African worldviews should be encouraged through collaborative platforms and funding schemes.
” To Educators, curricula at all levels of education must be reformed to include African perspectives in science, logic, and ethics. Beyond token inclusion, educational content should reflect the depth, complexity, and contemporary relevance of African philosophies. Teaching methods should emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability, and critical thinking rooted in local languages, oral traditions, and community experiences. Textbooks and learning materials should be developed to support these aims.
” There is an urgent need to institutionalise plural approaches to knowledge. National policies should formally recognise and regulate the interface between biomedicine and traditional healing systems. Moreover, education policies should mandate the integration of African philosophies in humanities and science education. Public intellectuals and philosophers should be appointed to policy advisory roles to ensure reflective and culturally-sensitive governance. I advocate for the inclusion of Philosophy as part of courses taught in our JUPEB or A/Levels system in Nigeria.
” Technological development in Africa must go beyond adoption to active design and innovation grounded in African values. AI systems must be built with transparency, fairness, and communal accountability at their core. Algorithmic decision-making tools should be subjected to ethical scrutiny informed by African communitarian ethics such as Ubuntu. Innovation hubs and tech curricula should incorporate training in philosophy of technology and digital ethics from African perspectives.”
He also called for the preservation of indigenous knowledge, “The preservation and revitalisation of indigenous knowledge must be prioritized, not as artefacts of the past, but as living, adaptive systems. Oral traditions, symbolic systems, and communal governance practices must be documented, taught, and integrated into modern civic life. Community elders and custodians of culture should be recognised as co-educators and co-thinkers in shaping Africa’s intellectual and moral future.”
Speaking earlier on the objective of the lecture, Afisi who doubles as the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in Lagos State University, said it is aimed at reclaiming the integrity of indigenous epistemologies while engaging critically with global thought systems.
