The Federal Government has urged Nigerian universities to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies while strengthening governance, accountability and regulatory compliance.
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 retreat of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and vice-chancellors in Abuja.
Ahmad said developments in artificial intelligence, digital learning and data analytics were changing higher education globally, making it necessary for Nigerian institutions to review their policies and practices.
“In modern times, university systems all over the world are greatly being influenced by artificial intelligence, digital learning, data analytics, virtual laboratories, online academic resources,” she said.
However, the minister warned that universities must establish safeguards for academic integrity, ethics and data protection when adopting AI tools.
NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed that the commission was developing a National AI Roadmap and Policy Framework for the Nigerian university system.
Ribadu also said the NUC was strengthening quality assurance and regulatory monitoring, including plans for post-accreditation visits to academic programmes.
He urged universities to build stronger partnerships with industry and government so that academic research could produce practical solutions to national challenges.
The retreat, held at the NUC headquarters, focused on regulatory compliance, leadership, governance and partnerships within Nigeria’s university system.
