Esteemed historian and academic, Professor Toyin Falola, has underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to fully integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its university education system, calling it a transformative tool that could redefine the future of higher education in the country.
Speaking at the 2024 Open Lecture of the Faculty of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Falola stressed that AI’s potential to enhance efficiency and drive innovation makes it indispensable to Nigeria’s educational reform.
Addressing an audience of students, faculty members, and education stakeholders, Falola, who holds the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, noted that “Any country that aims to achieve holistic development must invest heavily in AI knowledge and applications—Nigeria is no exception.” He warned that failure to embrace AI could leave Nigeria behind in the global education and innovation landscape, emphasizing that the future of knowledge will rely less on traditional human interaction and more on AI-driven processes.
Falola highlighted the transformative impact AI has already had on education globally, pointing out improvements in online tutoring, personalized learning plans, and adaptive educational platforms. “AI has led to advancements in curriculum development, making students more adaptive experts and on-the-job learners,” he said. With AI tools becoming part of classroom settings, students have gained access to real-time solutions, making learning more pragmatic and tailored to individual needs.
The professor emphasized that AI has streamlined research, allowing academics to sift through vast amounts of data without the traditional, labor-intensive processes. “University lecturers and professors no longer need to manually comb through endless academic materials; AI tools now provide quick and accurate access to necessary resources,” Falola explained. Beyond research, AI has also enhanced instructional delivery, providing tools to evaluate student performance and tailor feedback, creating a more efficient and responsive academic environment.
Falola noted that through AI, educational content can be delivered more effectively, minimizing the need for constant physical presence by instructors and offering students “customized, personal learning experiences.” He also spoke on the value AI holds for instructional delivery, stating that it fosters active participation from both students and teachers, shifting education away from one-directional, monotonous approaches.
However, Falola lamented Nigeria’s slow adoption of AI, a trend he attributed to the country’s limited digital infrastructure. “AI thrives in environments with robust digital skills and infrastructure—an area where Nigeria lags significantly,” he said. He described the current state of digital productivity in Nigeria as “a downward trajectory” and emphasized that revolutionizing AI in higher education is essential for harnessing educational growth. “AI can transform the teaching-learning process in Nigerian universities, enhancing both education plans and instructional delivery,” he stated.
Falola suggested that Nigeria take cues from countries like China, where AI has become integral to both the education sector and the national economy. “China has identified AI as a cornerstone of its quest for global dominance,” he observed. “The future of the global economy will hinge on AI, making its incorporation into educational curricula imperative.”
Falola advised that for Nigeria to fully embrace AI, significant investments in digital productivity and skill training are essential. “The government and other stakeholders should support initiatives that foster digital productivity, ensuring that university students gain the skill sets needed for AI integration,” he said. Acknowledging the high cost of implementing AI, he called for dedicated funding to support AI education in Nigerian universities.
However, he cautioned that ethical considerations must accompany this adoption. “While AI offers remarkable advantages, it must be regulated to maintain academic integrity,” Falola warned. He echoed concerns raised by Professor Abdul Rahman Oloyede, the JAMB registrar, who argued that AI’s rapid adoption in academia should not lead to over-reliance.
Falola highlighted the broader implications of AI for Nigeria’s job market and technology sector, noting that AI could be “the springboard of national development” when used effectively and ethically. “As the world moves towards AI-driven systems, Nigeria must critically engage with these educational advancements to remain competitive on the global stage,” he urged.
The lecture drew a large audience from both the academic and public sectors, with discussions focusing on the transformative potential of AI for Nigeria’s education system and the steps required to make it a reality. Falola’s remarks have added to the growing call for Nigeria to prioritize AI in its educational reforms, positioning the country to benefit from the advancements reshaping education worldwide.