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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Lagos State Government, in partnership with Varsity Mentor, has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s education curriculum to meet the demands of a fast-changing, artificial intelligence–driven global economy.
The call was made by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Kasali Adeniran, at the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Education Summit organised by Varsity Mentor in Lagos.
Speaking at the summit, Adeniran said Nigeria’s education system must abandon rigid and outdated curricula and embrace a dynamic model that responds to technological and social changes.
“Our curriculum cannot remain fixed,” he said. “Artificial intelligence has come to stay, and it cuts across every profession. AI, machine learning and emotional intelligence are no longer optional; they are survival skills.”
He disclosed that Lagos State is already taking steps to integrate AI into the core curriculum across all disciplines, stressing that AI education must not be limited to computer science or engineering.
“It does not matter whether you are studying medicine, law, arts or engineering,” he said. “There must be a general AI curriculum. We want graduates who are fit for use immediately after leaving school.”
Adeniran added that the state plans to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) compulsory for all students, describing AI literacy as a basic requirement for the modern workplace.
He noted that the National Universities Commission already allows institutions flexibility through the Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CMAS), which permit universities to introduce new and relevant courses.
“We must challenge AI, not just be challenged by it,” he said. “Students must develop the right knowledge, skills and attitude to use AI responsibly.”
According to him, Lagos State is promoting a General Studies approach to AI, placing it alongside compulsory courses such as Use of English.
He warned that waiting until university level to introduce AI education would be too late.
“If we delay, students arrive at the university already disadvantaged,” he said. “AI education must start from the basic and secondary school levels.”
The summit also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among government, academic institutions and industry players. Adeniran listed initiatives such as free campus internet, smart learning systems and digital skills programmes as part of Lagos State’s efforts to remove barriers to learning.
Plans are also underway to expand campus Wi-Fi access, upgrade laboratories and involve industry experts in classroom teaching to give students practical exposure.
He cautioned that without proper infrastructure, AI-driven education reforms would fail.
“Without modern laboratories and reliable digital systems, we cannot produce graduates fit for the digital economy,” he said.
Gender inclusion in technology also featured prominently at the summit, with speakers acknowledging the growing impact of women in AI and tech leadership, including Eniola Edun, despite limited visibility.
Technology investor and summit facilitator Jude Dike urged stakeholders to act quickly to prepare Nigerian youths for the future.
“Government, lecturers and industry must work together,” Dike said. “If we fail to close the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, Nigeria will lose its competitive edge.”
Education analysts at the event agreed that Nigeria must move away from theory-heavy teaching to practical, problem-solving education driven by technology.
As competition for digital talent intensifies globally, stakeholders said Lagos State’s approach could serve as a model for Nigeria and Africa in preparing students for the AI era.
