The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, has emphasized the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on teaching, learning, and research within Nigerian higher education. Bala made this statement in Abuja during a national dialogue on AI aimed at guiding its use in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The dialogue was organized by ABU Zaria, the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE), and the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (ICHEI).
Bala remarked, “The impact of AI is expected to continue to manifest in the quality of teaching, learning, and research activities within our higher education ecosystem and in the future workplace. According to a UNESCO (2023) report, regardless of location or resource level, higher education institution (HEI) leadership needs to be equipped for the responsible implementation of AI.”
He highlighted the necessity for building capacity within policy-making structures to understand AI’s possibilities, limitations, and risks. He also stressed the importance of creating interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral platforms for AI discussions and actively engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
As president of the IIOE, Bala committed to developing at least two micro-certification courses for teachers at ABU Zaria through the IIOE Nigeria National Centre in collaboration with UNESCO-ICHEI. He reported, “The domestication of B1 was done in April 2024 with the title ‘Domestication and Production of Micro-Courses,’ where 40 participants, including 12 females and 28 males, completed the program. Additionally, the co-development of micro-certification courses A3 and T1 has been completed and is currently under review.”
These initiatives aim to enhance the skills of educators in Nigeria, aligning with global trends in AI and higher education innovation.
