Professor Muyiwa Falaiye, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) at the University of Lagos, has urged academic institutions to prioritise dialogue and negotiation over confrontation, stressing that diplomacy remains the most effective framework for managing disputes in university environments.

Falaiye delivered this charge 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 conflict is inevitable in human interaction, including within university settings, but maintained that the response to disagreement determines its outcome.

"Universities, as centres of diverse opinions and interests, must prioritise dialogue, negotiation, and tolerance to prevent crises and ensure stability," he stated, adding that "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."

He emphasised that diplomacy offers a structured framework for resolving disputes peacefully, with relevance extending far beyond international relations into institutional and interpersonal engagements.

Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, also addressed the gathering, describing economic diplomacy as the cornerstone of Nigeria's foreign policy and stressing that no nation can attain meaningful global influence without a strong economic foundation.

"The greatest strength any country can have is its economy," Osaghae declared, adding that modern diplomacy had evolved to include individuals, the private sector, and the diaspora as active participants in advancing national interests.

Consul General of the United Arab Emirates, Salim Aljaberi, disclosed that the UAE plans to invest approximately 4.5 billion naira across Africa, with deepened economic engagement with Nigeria a key priority. He announced that direct flights between the UAE and Lagos would resume shortly to ease movement for investors, tourists, and business professionals, adding that visa processes for Nigerians had been simplified.

Aljaberi also revealed plans to partner with Nigerian stakeholders in the real estate sector to boost infrastructure development and expand investment opportunities.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Mudasiru Akanbi Ilupeju, described the lecture series as a platform for stimulating intellectual engagement and connecting academic discourse with evolving global diplomatic trends.