FG urges varsities to adopt AI, strengthen regulatory compliance

The Federal Government has urged Nigerian universities to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies while strengthening regulatory compliance, governance, and accountability to improve the quality of higher education. This call was made by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, during the opening of the 2026 retreat of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities in Abuja.

The retreat, which is being held from October 13 to 14, aims to discuss and address the challenges facing Nigerian universities in the context of rapid transformation driven by AI, digital learning, data analytics, and changing research and funding models. Ahmad emphasized the need for universities to review their policies and practices to remain competitive, while also cautioning that adopting AI must be accompanied by safeguards on academic integrity, ethics, data protection, and responsible use.

She urged institutions to develop appropriate policies to guide AI application and stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between the NUC and university management to ensure effective policy implementation and compliance with established standards.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.