Hamzat urges responsible use of AI in education

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called for the responsible and ethical adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria’s education system, urging governments, universities and the private sector to ensure that the technology expands opportunities without deepening inequality.

Hamzat made the call on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the 13th Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture at the University of Lagos.

The lecture, organised by the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos Branch, in conjunction with Yaba Local Council Development Area, was themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Sustainable Development of Nigeria’s Education System.”

Hamzat said Nigeria must move beyond being a consumer of foreign technologies and begin developing AI solutions that reflect the country’s realities and address its educational challenges.

Describing AI as a transformative tool rather than an end in itself, the deputy governor said its deployment must be guided by ethics, inclusion and human-centred governance.

“Artificial Intelligence is powerful. Our responsibility is not to worship AI. It is not to fear AI. And it is certainly not to ignore it. Our responsibility is to govern it, humanise it, and use it deliberately to expand opportunities for everyone,” he said.

He challenged stakeholders to ensure that AI did not become another privilege reserved for a few but instead helped provide quality education to children who had historically been left behind.

Hamzat also called on telecommunications companies and technology firms to make educational platforms more affordable through zero-rated or subsidised internet access and invest in computing infrastructure for universities.

He urged companies to expand their recruitment efforts beyond a few elite institutions, stressing the importance of developing a broader pool of Nigerian talent.

“Do not recruit only from three or five elite universities. Help strengthen other universities too, because a larger talent pool benefits everyone,” he said.

The deputy governor further stressed that universities must play a central role in shaping Nigeria’s AI future, noting that educational data should be regarded as a national intellectual asset.

“The data generated by our educational institutions should be treated as a national intellectual asset. It must be protected, governed responsibly, and utilised ethically for research and policy development,” he said.

He added that universities should lead the development of governance frameworks that protect privacy while promoting innovation and accountability.

Hamzat also highlighted the potential of Nigerian youths to develop technology capable of solving local problems while attracting global relevance and investment.

“That is what happens when young people identify local problems and build solutions with global relevance. There are many more stories like this. They remind us that the future of Nigeria’s innovation economy is not theoretical. It is already being built by young Nigerians who refuse to accept limitations and choose instead to create opportunities,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olumuyiwa Fawole, said the institution had continued to demonstrate leadership in AI research and innovation.

He noted that UNILAG contributed to the development of Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, led UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment for Nigeria, and continued to drive research through its Machine Intelligence Research Group and annual International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

Chairman of the occasion, Olorogun Dr Sonny Kuku, described the late Professor Sofoluwe as one of UNILAG’s most accomplished Vice-Chancellors and said his visionary leadership made the choice of AI as the lecture theme particularly appropriate.

“If Professor Sofoluwe were alive today, there would undoubtedly be a School of Artificial Intelligence,” Kuku said.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the UNILAG Alumni Association, Lagos Branch, Mr Adedeji Owoeye, said the memorial lecture continued to preserve Sofoluwe’s legacy of academic excellence, infrastructure development and compassionate leadership.

The Executive Chairman of Yaba LCDA and co-host, Dr Bayo Adefuye, urged stakeholders to ensure that students in public schools were not left behind as AI became increasingly integrated into education.

“We must harness Artificial Intelligence not because it is fashionable, but because it has the potential to improve learning, expand opportunities, strengthen our institutions and accelerate Nigeria’s development,” Adefuye said.