Professor Alaba Akingbesote, a distinguished expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-market services, is set to deliver the 66th Inaugural Lecture at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. The lecture, titled “From Traditional Markets to Bidirectional AI-Cloud E-Marketplaces: Emergence, Challenges and Expectations,” will examine the profound global shift from conventional physical trading environments to sophisticated, AI-driven digital economies.

According to a statement released by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Chairman of the Ceremonies Committee, Professor Adebisi Daramola, the event will take place at the University Multipurpose Hall at 2:00 pm. The Vice Chancellor, Prof.  Olugbenga Ige, will chair the historic occasion.

Prof. Akingbesote boasts an illustrious academic career spanning over three decades. He began his journey in higher education at Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Computer Science in 1994. He went on to earn a Master of Technology degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in 2004, before securing his Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from the University of Zululand, South Africa, in 2015.

His long-standing relationship with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko,  began in 1995 when he joined the institution, then known as Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, as a Graduate Assistant. Through a steadfast commitment to research and teaching excellence, he steadily climbed the academic ranks over the next twenty-five years, culminating in his promotion to full Professor in 2020.

Beyond his core teaching and research responsibilities, Prof.  Akingbesote has held several key administrative positions within the university. He has previously served as the Acting Director of the Centre for Distance Learning, and has lent his leadership skills to his home department as the Acting Head of Department, Departmental Staff Adviser, and Departmental Examination Officer.

As a prolific scholar, Prof. Akingbesote has authored two introductory academic textbooks and published 34 articles in reputable peer-reviewed journals. His research footprint extends far beyond Nigeria, having presented papers at more than 20 local and international conferences across the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.

His contributions to the global computing community have also earned him significant international accolades. Notably, he received the Best Paper Presenter Award for Cloud Computing at the IEEE 6th International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology in Nigeria in 2014. This followed his success in 2012, where he was awarded the second prize for Best PhD Oral Presentation at the 7th Annual Faculty of Science and Agriculture Symposium at the University of Zululand.

Outside his home university, Prof. Akingbesote has shared his expertise as an Adjunct Lecturer at Achievers University in Owo, and as an External Examiner for the Department of Software Engineering at FUTA.

He maintains an active membership with the prestigious Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), using the global platform to advocate for technological innovations that drive human development.

The highly anticipated lecture promises to provide vital insights into the regulatory challenges, economic opportunities, and future expectations surrounding AI-cloud integration in modern commerce. The event is scheduled to begin promptly at 2:00 pm, and guests are respectfully requested to be seated by 1:30 pm.