TLDR: Scholars and professionals at the 6th Annual International Conference of the Institute of Operational Research and Management Science of Nigeria (IORMS 2025) urged Nigeria to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Operational Research (OR) for sustainable national development. The conference, themed ‘Optimising Nigeria’s Development: Operational Research & AI as Catalysts,’ focused on bridging the gap between academic research and practical application, and also marked the institute’s 10th anniversary.
Ibadan, Nigeria – Leading scholars and professionals from around the globe convened at the 6th Annual International Conference of the Institute of Operational Research and Management Science of Nigeria (IORMS 2025), held from October 14 to 16, 2025, at Lead City University, Ibadan. The three-day hybrid conference, themed ‘Optimising Nigeria’s Development: Operational Research & AI as Catalysts,’ served as a critical platform to address the nation’s developmental challenges and chart a path towards sustainable growth.
A central message resonating throughout the conference was the urgent call for Nigeria to strategically harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Operational Research (OR) as indispensable tools for national development. Participants emphasized that these advanced methodologies are crucial for driving innovation, improving efficiency, and fostering economic diversification.
Prof. Idorenyin Etukudo, the National President of IORMS, highlighted a significant impediment to Nigeria’s progress in his opening remarks. He stated, ‘Sustainable economic development in Nigeria continues to elude us largely because of the wide gap between academic research and practical operations.’ Prof. Etukudo underscored the institute’s foundational role, tracing its history from its conceptualization in 1983 under Prof. Funso Akingbade to its formal registration in 2014. He reiterated IORMS’s commitment to serving as a professional nexus, connecting scientific, engineering, and management principles to real-world problem-solving scenarios.
The conference also celebrated a significant milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Institute of Operational Research and Management Science of Nigeria, which was founded in 2015. In recognition of his profound contributions to education and research, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, the Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University and host of the conference, was honored with the prestigious IORMS Fellowship Award.
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The event concluded with a series of key activities, including the induction of new members into the institute, the conferment of additional fellowships, the Annual General Meeting of IORMS, and a celebratory Gala Night hosted by Lead City University. These proceedings reinforced the institute’s dedication to expanding its professional community and advancing the application of operational research and AI for national prosperity.
