A renowned Professor of Philosophy, Solomon Akinyemi Laleye, has asserted that the root of Africa’s developmental challenges lies in the collapse of its moral infrastructure, arguing that families, schools, and communities must return to their ethical responsibilities, while institutions of governance uphold justice and accountability to foster a generation of morally grounded and development-driven citizens.
Prof. Laleye made the 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”.
He said, “Africa's pathway to integral human development is inextricably tied to the revival of its moral infrastructure. The ethics of complementarity and the recognition of the "third face of the coin", a perspective that transcends binary oppositions, offers an indispensable route to achieving this goal.
“The family serves as the first institution of socialisation, bearing the fundamental 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, therefore, conscientiously embrace their role in nurturing virtues such as honesty, empathy, and responsibility in their children.
“The school represents the next critical pillar in moral development. It is imperative that our educational system be restructured to prioritise ethics alongside academic excellence. Beyond equipping students with quantitative and qualitative reasoning skills, education must also foster moral consciousness. Ethics should be embedded in curricula to cultivate a sense of justice, integrity, and respect for others.
“The judicial system and other institutions of governance must be strengthened to serve 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 interactions. Justice must be impartial, and ethical violations must be addressed with firmness and fairness to restore public trust in systems of governance.
“By reinforcing the moral foundations within families, schools, communities, and institutions, Africa can foster individuals who are not only intellectually competent but also ethically responsible. Only through such a holistic approach can we truly achieve sustainable development and human flourishing on the continent.”
According to Prof. Laleye, true development cannot be achieved by technological or economic advancement alone. “Progress must be ethically grounded,” he asserted, explaining that the ingenuity of Daedalus symbolises innovation and rights, while Icarus’s fall warns against neglecting responsibility and moderation. Without a moral compass, innovation may lead to unintended harm rather than societal good.
He stressed the importance of aligning justice with peace through the interdependence of ethical foresight and responsible action.
He said, “The third face of the coin represents 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 the well-being of the community.”
The Inaugural Lecturer also reflected on traditional African societies, which, he noted, were anchored in duty ethics rather than individualistic rights. He recalled that in the past, values such as respect for elders, care for the vulnerable, communal labour, environmental stewardship, and collective conflict resolution were central to social harmony, stating that the erosion of those principles has contributed significantly to Africa’s contemporary challenges.
Prof. Laleye proposed practical steps for reintegrating duty ethics into modern society, including re-evaluating cultural philosophies such as Ubuntu and Omolúàbí, incorporating ethics into educational curricula, promoting community service, encouraging inter-generational dialogue, and fostering leadership rooted in responsibility rather than self-interest.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, expressed appreciation to 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 the University.”
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