Participants who made the suggestion during the third edition of the forum, with the theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence in education: Implications and Strategies for Rapid National Growth’ which held recently and virtually, said such policy would promote innovation in all tertiary institutions in the country.

Dr. Salisu Mamman Abdulrahman, one of the keynote speakers at the forum and an associate professor of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), said policy on AI would support the establishment of AI infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country and also facilitate AI development in Nigeria.

He stressed the need for collaboration between stakeholders in AI and the academia in order to promote innovation and enhance national growth.

He said Nigeria must develop AI database that would support research and innovation.

According to him, AI is the ability of a machine to think like the human and exhibit human intelligence. A lot of investments running into billions of dollars have been channeled into global AI development in order to unlock global values.

“So many platforms have integrated AI into their operations, and different sectors of the global economy have embraced AI, including the education sector. AI can be used in automated processes and for the development of robots. Although AI is in its infancy stage in Nigeria, most ministries and government agencies, including private organisations are beginning to introduce AI in their operations. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), have developed policies and strategies to develop AI in Nigeria,” Abdulrahman said.

He further explained that the application of AI could stimulate economic growth by simulating games from both the supply and demand sides, adding that the federal government is committing funds to startups to develop AI in Nigeria.

AI can contribute up to $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030, according to recent statistics, he added.

To promote AI in education in Nigeria, Abdulrahman called for skills development in the area of AI.

According to him, Nigeria needs technical skills development in Machine Language, Big Data, Robotics, Deep Learning, as well as Data Science skills for the understanding of data processing and data analytics for decision making. He said Nigerians must acquire skills in the area of Generative AI and Responsible AI, adding that Nigerians will need the knowledge of AI in critical thinking and decision making.

He insisted that apart from the technical skills, Nigerians must also acquire soft skills about AI.

“However, the biggest challenge to AI development in Nigeria is lack of funding. Organisations and government agaencies must therefore invest heavily in AI in order to enhance research and development in the country’s educational system,” Abdulrahman added.

Another keynote speaker, Prof. AbejideAde-Ibijola, who is a professor of Artificial Intelligence and Applications, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, spoke about the future of education with AI. He described AI as computers with minds and intelligence, adding that AI in education will support learning and innovation in the area of intelligent thinking, automated grading, data analytics, predictive analysis and content generation, using algorithm.

He however said AI could come with its disadvantages such as funding, insecurity and training, describing them as timeless challenges.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the President of NCS, said the forum was designed to bring stakeholders together to discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence in education and how the education sector could leverage AI to promote innovation and drive advance research that will benefit Nigeria as a nation.

According to him, the theme of this year’s conference is centered on emerging technologies like AI that will promote innovation and excellence among those in academics.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, the executive secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), who was represented by Aliyu Hassan, the general manager of NBTE, said:

“In the midst of the fourth industrial revolution,, embracing technology like AI is not a choice but a necessity for a sustained economic progress. The transformative power of AI in education as exemplified by innovations like chatGPT, is re-shaping the educational landscape, and we encourage institutions of education to align with the development for national growth in today’s digital era.”

NBTE had recently unbundled the programmes into four distinct specialisations:

1. Artificial Intelligence,
2. Network & Cloud Computing,
3. Software & Web Development, and
4. Cybersecurity & Data Protection.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by Hadiza Umar (Mrs), head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, the DG said the visionary move is not just a game-changer in Nigeria’s IT sector; it represents a seismic shift in equipping Nigerian graduates with in-demand skills crucial for navigating the digital revolution.

“This development positions polytechnics at the centre of nurturing young Nigerians capable of tackling specific challenges and capitalising on the vast opportunities presented by emerging technologies.

“Moreover, NITDA views this as a significant step in promoting the growth of the IT sector and enhancing the capabilities of the nation’s workforce. It bridges skills gaps identified during our IT Skills Gap Assessment, conducted in partnership with CC Hub, which highlighted 12 IT skills in high demand both in Nigeria and globally.

“NITDA recognises the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence, Network and Cloud Computing, Software and Web Development, as well as Cybersecurity and Data Protection in shaping the future of Nigeria’s IT sector. This is why it established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), as special purpose vehicles to nurture talent and equip interns and NYSC members with the requisite skills to excel in their digital journey.

Inuwa also emphasises the need for collaboration between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to ensure the successful implementation of these specialised fields.

“NITDA extends its gratitude to the National Board for Technical Education for its vision and commitment to advancing technical education in Nigeria.

“”It encourages a paradigm shift in educational approaches, urging institutions to proactively incorporate elements of digital literacy into their curriculum structures.

“The Agency believes that embracing the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) would serve as a transformative step towards ensuring that the Nigerian educational system remains at the forefront of technological innovation and equips students with the competencies needed for success in the modern world.

“NITDA looks forward to continued collaboration to create an environment where Nigerian IT professionals can thrive and make significant contributions to the global digital economy”, the DG said.

Professor Mohammed Haruna, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has revealed the agency’s target to contribute 50 megawatts of solar energy to Nigeria’s national grid by 2023.

He made this known during the closing ceremony of the agency’s week-long skill acquisition training and youth empowerment for 100 youths on solar installation and maintenance in Awka, Anambra State over the weekend.

Haruna said the agency has, through its solar manufacturing plant in Karshi, doubled its capacity to 21mw per annum and will move its production capacity to 50mw to bridge the gap created by the importation of over 80 per cent of substandard products into the Nigerian market.

He harped on the need for training and retraining of technicians in the solar system electric power supply subsector, stressing that it is important for the nation to have a competent workforce if the nation seeks self-reliance and industrial development.

“Technicians must be trained and retrained for knowledge updating. Failure to acquire skills and training for solar electricity supply is the root of most failed solar installations across the country. This is frustrating and discouraging to customers, some of whom are considering the popular solar system as a myth instead of a reality.

“Some installations are a failure even before commissioning. No two solar system installations are the same, even [if they are] of the same size and capacity. Load survey, computation and analysis are on a case-by-case basis. Accordingly, you must acquire skills on how to carry out load survey, design, component specification and selection and, then, component matching in that order before installation. The solar power system is modular and there are specific methods and scientific approaches to installation, repairs and maintenance,” he said.

The NASENI boss reiterated that there can be no industrial development without a skilled workforce, stressing that Nigeria cannot continue to import machines, men and other equipment when it has the raw materials for its industries and can aspire for an industrial economy.

He maintained that skilled citizens are the most important of all components of the knowledge-based economy, adding that the mandate of skilled development given to NASENI by President Muhammadu Buhari is among the key legacies of the present administration.

Haruna further urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to commence a five-year programme to reboot tertiary education workshops and laboratories across the country with appropriate equipment that will make it possible for all students to acquire, at least, an occupational trade skill before graduation.

“Compulsory skill acquisition course is needed as an integral part of tertiary education curriculum of National University Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) as a modification or substitute of entrepreneurship programme of tertiary education that is of limited impact,” he added.

In her remarks, Senator Uche Ekwunife, the chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, was optimistic that the training will be beneficial to youths in the state.

“I strongly believe in the importance and gains of the training today which cannot be overemphasised.

“The mandate of NASENI is for capital goods in the areas of research on reverse engineering , industry, chemical, chemistry and engineering.

“The essence of this training is actually to train our youths on solar installation and maintenance.

“If you look at the way the country is going today, we are trying to find alternatives to energy and solar is one of them.

“I believe that if the trainees paid attention to what they were taught it will make them self-reliant and train others,” she said.

Ekwunife, who also chaired the event, thanked the agency on behalf of the committee for empowering the young people; a venture she called “important” and one which “Nigeria needs for rapid industrialization”.