The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), University of Lagos, Muyiwa Falaiye, has stressed the critical role of diplomacy in resolving conflicts within universities, warning that dialogue remains the most effective tool for managing disputes in academic environments.
Falaiye spoke at the UNILAG Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies annual lecture series, themed “Diplomatic Engagements for Economic Development: Exploring Opportunities and Tackling Challenges.”
The professor of African Socio-Political Philosophy noted that while conflict is inevitable in human interaction, including within university settings, the real challenge lies in how such disagreements are managed.
According to him, “universities, as centres of diverse opinions and interests, must prioritise dialogue, negotiation, and tolerance to prevent crises and ensure stability.”
He said, “While conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction due to competition for resources and influence, the real challenge lies in how such conflicts are managed,” he said.
He emphasised that diplomacy provides a structured framework for resolving disputes peacefully, adding that its relevance extends beyond international relations to institutional and interpersonal engagements.
Falaiye added that despite rising global tensions, the world continues to rely on diplomacy rather than force to resolve conflicts, noting that negotiations often determine outcomes even in situations of intense rivalry.
He said, “Global peace over the decades has largely been sustained not by military might, but by the consistent efforts of diplomats who manage conflicts, balance competing interests, and create room for dialogue even among adversaries.”
The don urged students and aspiring diplomats to embrace rational engagement and constructive dialogue, stressing that peaceful coexistence depends on the willingness to prioritise negotiation over confrontation.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof Eghosa Osaghae, highlighted the broader role of diplomacy in advancing national development, particularly through economic engagement.
Osaghae described economic diplomacy as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy, noting that no country can attain meaningful global influence without a strong economic base.
“The greatest strength any country can have is its economy,” he said, adding that nations with robust economies tend to build more stable and prosperous societies.
He further explained that diplomacy remains a vital tool for achieving national objectives peacefully, often succeeding where force fails.
The NIIA DG also noted that modern diplomacy has evolved beyond state actors, with individuals, the private sector, and the diaspora increasingly playing significant roles in advancing national interests.
Meanwhile, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates, Salim Aljaberi, disclosed plans by the UAE to invest about ₦4.5bn across Africa and deepen economic ties with Nigeria.
Aljaberi said direct flights between the UAE and Lagos would soon resume to ease movement for investors, tourists, and business professionals, adding that visa processes have also been simplified for Nigerians.
He also announced plans to partner with Nigerian stakeholders in the real estate sector to boost infrastructure development and expand investment opportunities.
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Mudasiru Akanbi Ilupeju, said the lecture series was designed to stimulate intellectual engagement and connect academic discourse with evolving global diplomatic trends.
“Our goal is to create an environment where challenging ideas can be debated, and new perspectives can thrive,” he said.
Credit: Punchng
