The Sustainability and Innovation Conference (SIC), organised by the Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Leadership (CEIL), has recently held an event in Lagos, calling for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalisation to expose and prevent greenwashing in corporate sustainability practices.
Held at NECA House, the one-day event drew industry experts, sustainability professionals, health and safety specialists, and environmental advocates. Themed “Utilising AI and Digitalisation for the Prevention of Greenwashing in Sustainability Cycles”, the conference challenged organisations that present misleading claims of sustainable operations particularly regarding environmental impact while failing to take genuine action.
In his keynote address, sustainability advocate Dr. Eugene Itua defined greenwashing as “when companies claim to be environmentally friendly but are not,” noting that such firms often exaggerate compliance or fabricate sustainability efforts. Citing the African Union’s position on AI and digitalization which highlights their role in economic transformation he stressed that AI can effectively distinguish genuine sustainability efforts from false claims.
Senior Sustainability Manager, Engr. Lovelyn Okoye, speaking on “Building Effective Sustainability Strategy in the Manufacturing Industry”, argued that true sustainability stems from passion. She called on the government to implement clear policy frameworks to guide organisations and prevent superficial compliance.
Vice President of the CEIL Governing Council and Chairman of its Board, Dr. Fyneray Mbata, underscored the importance of the theme, warning that genuine progress risks being overshadowed by “clever marketing” and “shallow compliance.” He urged the adoption of intelligent innovations and transparent digital systems to separate authentic achievements from performative gestures.
The convener and CEIL founder, Dr. Julius Akpong, said the conference was born out of concern over the prevalence of greenwashing. “By bringing together industry leaders and experts to educate participants and the media on what sustainability truly means, we equip them to identify trends and practices that protect integrity in the field,” he noted.
Panel sessions explored diverse approaches to sustainable development, with contributors including Dr. Monica Nwosu describing sustainability, as outlined in SDG 17, as a “call to action for all.” Innovative methods, including the use of poetry and student engagement, were showcased as tools to communicate sustainability principles.
The SIC 2025 conference ended with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to leverage AI, digital tools, and strategic frameworks to ensure that sustainability efforts in Nigeria are both authentic and impactful.
