Nigeria’s role in global AI revolution significant milestone — Okebukola

The National Coordinator of the 2025 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Awareness Day and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, has described Nigeria’s role in the global revolution in Artificial Intelligence as a significant milestone.

The inaugural 2025 AI Awareness Day in Higher Education was held on Monday, February 17, 2025, and co-hosted by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Okebukola Science Foundation (OSF), and the Association of African Universities (AAU).

Speaking at the event, some stakeholders in the education sector called on universities and other tertiary institutions to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven innovations that tackle national educational challenges.

They also called for the integration of AI into university curricula, research, and administration.

They suggested that within the 30 per cent institutional allowance in the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), Nigerian universities should be encouraged to start GST courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in place of or in addition to the existing computer appreciation courses.

The national virtual event brought together 856 participants, including heads of regulatory agencies (NUC, NBTE, and NCCE), scholars from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, policymakers, educators, AI practitioners, and stakeholders from across the Nigerian higher education system to explore the potential of AI, share best practices, and contribute to the shaping of national policies that ensure ethical AI deployment.

Goodwill messages were received from other African countries and scholars from other parts of the world.

The objectives of the AI Awareness Day, which was chaired by Professor Yakubu Ochefu, former Secretary General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, included raising awareness about AI’s role in revolutionising higher education in Nigeria; presenting a situation report on Nigeria’s progress in AI education and its contribution to global AI research; celebrating achievements in AI education and research within Nigerian higher education institutions; addressing opportunities and challenges in integrating AI into university curricula, research, and administration; and fostering discussions on AI-driven innovations that tackle national educational challenges.

Key activities at the event included a symposium, dissemination of the 3-volume Handbook on AI and Quality Higher Education, the presentation of a situation report on AI in Nigerian higher education, and the launch of the AI in Higher Education in Africa Newsletter.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to recognise outstanding contributions in AI research, education, and policy within the Nigerian higher education system.

The first position in the Best Institutional AI Policy in Higher Education Award in the universities category was won by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Second and third positions were won by Lagos State University, Ojo, and Federal University of Technology, Minna, respectively.

In the polytechnics category, the first prize went to Living Spring College of Technology and Innovation, Osogbo. For the Best AI Researcher in the universities category, Prof. Olatunji Sunday Olusanya of Adekunle Ajasin University came first. Dr Salau Ayodeji of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, and Dr Awotunde Joseph Bamidele of the University of Ilorin came second and third, respectively.

For the polytechnics category, Mr Mohammed Modiu of Yaba College of Technology came first. Mr Salami Ayo of Federal College of Education, Iwo, came first in the colleges of education category.

Other awards include the Best Programme in Artificial Intelligence. For the universities category, the B.Sc. Computer Science of Thomas Adewumi University came first. Programmes of four universities tied in the second position. These are B.Sc. Management Information Systems of Covenant University, Ota; B.Sc. Industrial Mathematics (Computer Option) also of Covenant University, Ota; and B.Sc. Computer Science of the University of Benin.

The first position in the university category for the Best AI Application for Enhancing Teaching and Learning went to Prof. Onyenwe Ikechukwu Ekene of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Five scholars tied in the second position. These are Dr Oguntosin Victoria of Covenant University; Dr Oluwakemi Olurinola of Olabisi Onabanjo University; Professor Busari Mutiu of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; and Professor Ibezim Nnenna of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the polytechnic category, first prize went to Dr Okikiola Folasade of Yaba College of Technology. For the colleges of education category, first prize was earned by Dr Usman Stephen of Ipere College of Education Agyaragu, Nasarawa State, while Mr Bako Mahmud Malam of Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere, Bauchi State, came second.

Key resolutions include expanding the AI Awareness Day to all levels of the educational system; development of a strategic plan to ensure that Nigeria plays a leadership role in the global development of AI; strengthening the implementation of the AU strategic plan on AI; and forging strong public-private partnerships, investing boldly in our people and infrastructure.

Others are that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA, other agencies of government and other stakeholders should involve the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP) in policy-making, implementation, and other matters of Artificial Intelligence.

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