By Adeyinka Adeniran
Lead City University, Ibadan will host the 2025 Conference of the Institute of Operational Research and Management Science of Nigeria (IORMS).
The last edition held at the Ignatus Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The conference, the sixth in its edition, billed for October, is a yearly event to promote Operational Research practices and solutions, bringing together researchers and experts to proffer solutions to economic challenges.
The 2025 conference is with the theme: Optimizing Nigeria’s Development: Operational Research and AI as catalysts”. Reflecting on the theme, the Ag. Registrar of IORMS, Olugbenga Oso said when you have OR and AI resources being deployed then you will have decisions intelligence leading to development optimization.
Speaking during a “Thank you visit and familiarization tour” paid on the Vice Chancellor, Lead City University, Professor Kabiru Adeyemo, IORMS Vice President; Dr. Olabode Adewoye said this year celebration coincides with the 50th anniversary of EURO, Association of Operation Research in Europe which is also coming up in University of Leeds, United Kingdom later in the month.
Other members of IORMS Governing Council that accompanied the Vice President include: Prof. Bola Dixon-Ogbechi (Treasurer), Olugbenga Oso (Acting Registrar), and Prof. Mumuni Adamu.
Dr Adewoye explained that IORMS is the sub-operational research and validation science of Nigeria, which is registered to promote, to teach, to regulate operational research in the country.
He said the University has more to gain by hosting the conference as it will open the institution, it’s staff and students to the various opportunities in the field of operational research globally.
He stressed that, by agreeing to host the conference, the name of the institution will feature in the next edition of the news publication of the International Federation of Occupational Research Society, (IFORS), the global body of Operation Research members of each Nation.
He said, “We are here as members of the Governing Council of IORMS.
“This conference that we are going to have is going to be the sixth by counting, meaning that, operational research is not new in Nigeria, it’s a succession, it has metamorphosed from one name to another and then finally, this IORMS.
“IFORS has a quarterly publication, already, I have sent an article on behalf of IORMS stating that this year conference of IORMS is going to be hosted by Lead City University, Ibadan.
“Occupational research is about optimization. Optimization. How do we optimize? When we say optimization, it’s either we want to maximize our gain, or minimize our cost, or our loss. I mean, just to gain. Either to maximize it, or to reduce cost.
“So, that is what occupational research is all about. And then, it’s also about system improvement science. How do we improve? When the system is good, no matter how good that system is, it is still, as long as we are still in, we need to improve that system.
“There are a lot of things that the university will gain. And then the staff, and the students of the university. One is the one I just mentioned, collaboration.
“The exposure of the school, will allow operational research as a course. I’m not sure if it’s being offered here. So, it’s also an opportunity to start that course. Maybe operational research and computer science, and operational research as a field on its own. So, that is the collaboration.”
He explained that part of what the Institute will do ahead of the conference, is to also facilitate a workshop/ seminar, that will sensitize the university community on what is operational research. the benefits to the university, to the staff, and then to the students.
He said the workshop will open them to many links, books, where they can get books, programs, grants among other benefits.
In his remarks, the VC, LCU, Prof Adeyemo who recalled that he has taught Operational Research as a course for many years agreed on the importance of operational research across various spheres of endeavours.
He recounted how the University has partnered with other groups, institutes and bodies on hosting various impactful conferences which has boosted the image of the University.
He said the University is always open to partnership that will give it a favourable feasibility, while also adding value to the staff and students alike.
The VC said, “This is a private university, and we need to maximise our work. So, if an institute is coming to the campus, what are you bringing for the university, for our students, for the university as a whole, and even for the staff?
“I know that occupational research is very relevant to computer sciences. Even management, where maybe later, you can coopt somebody from management accounting into the LOC of the conference, because accounting students, marketing, business administration students offer occupational research. Even economic students, they offer that.
“So, you are welcome. We are happy to meet you. This is the university we live in. We can’t be alone. Yes. We can’t be alone. Where we are today is the glory of God, and the dedication and team effort of dedicated, committed staff, at the Council and management level. That’s where we are.
“And our next level now is feasibility. So, anybody that gives us feasibility, that’s going to be more favorable to us. We are going to accept it. And I can see that in this institute, we should be able to have a common aspiration to be able to achieve that.”
The VC was accompanied by the Registrar, Dr. Oyebola Ayeni, the Bursar, and some members of the Local Organising Committee headed by Dr. Wilson Sakpere of Computer Science department, including, a Professor of Mathematics; Olatunde Yara and the Head of Physics Department, Prof. Adebo Babatunde among others.
