Heads of regulatory agencies, tertiary institutions, educators, Artificial Intelligence promoters, and other stakeholders in the education sector have tasked the Nigerian government with the development of a strategic plan to ensure that the nation plays a leadership role in the global development of AI.
This is as they called for the strengthening of the implementation of the African Union strategic plan on AI.
These were part of the resolutions of the inaugural 2025 AI Awareness Day in Higher Education held on Monday, co-hosted by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education, the National Universities Commission, the National Open University of Nigeria, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Okebukola Science Foundation and the Association of African Universities.
The virtual event brought together 856 participants including heads of regulatory agencies: NUC, National Board for Technical Education and National Commission for Colleges of Education.
Also present were scholars from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, policymakers, educators, AI practitioners, and stakeholders from across the Nigerian higher education system.
The objectives of the AI Awareness Day which was chaired by former Secretary General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities Professor Yakubu Ochefu to raise awareness about AI’s role in revolutionising higher education in Nigeria; present a situation report on Nigeria’s progress in AI education and its contribution to global AI research.
It also was for participants to celebrate achievements in AI education and research within Nigerian higher education institutions; address opportunities and challenges in integrating AI into university curricula, research, and administration; and foster discussions on AI-driven innovations that tackle national educational challenges.
In addition, the event allowed participants to explore the potential of AI, share best practices, and contribute to the shaping of national policies that ensure ethical AI deployment.
Among other resolutions at the meeting were calls for the expansion of the AI Awareness Day to all levels of the educational system; and forging strong public-private partnerships by investing boldly in our people and infrastructure.
Other resolutions were 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 in policy-making, implementation and other matters of Artificial Intelligence.
They also demanded that within the 30 per cent institutional allowance in the CCMAS, Nigerian universities should be encouraged to start GST courses on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in place of or in addition to the existing computer appreciation courses.
The National Coordinator of the 2025 Artificial Intelligence Awareness Day and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola described as a significant milestone, Nigeria’s role in the global revolution in Artificial Intelligence.
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 to 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. The 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 at Thomas Adewumi University came first. Programmes of four universities tied for 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 universities 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 for the second position. These are Dr Oguntosin Victoria of Covenant University; Dr Oluwakemi Olurinola of Olabisi Onabanjo University; Professor Busari Mutiu of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and Professor Ibezim Nnenna of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the polytechnic category, the first prize went to Dr. Okikiola Folasade of Yaba College of Technology. For the colleges of education category, the 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.
Goodwill messages were received from other African countries and scholars from other parts of the world.
