ABU, UNESCO, Others Plan National Dialogue on AI Use in Higher Education

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

A national dialogue aimed at guiding the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigerian higher education will be held in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July 2024.

This event is a collaborative effort between Ahmadu Bello University, the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE), and the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI).

The one-day national dialogue, titled “National Dialogue on Consensus Framework Towards a Policy/Guidelines Roadmap for Nigerian Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” will take place at the Communication and Digital Economy Complex in Mbora, Abuja. It will be inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN.

According to a press statement from the Director of the Public Affairs Directorate at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the event aims to empower policymakers, educators, learners, and researchers to leverage AI for teaching, learning, and research. The dialogue will explore the benefits of integrating AI technologies into education to enhance innovation, global competitiveness, and future workplace readiness.

Additionally, it will address the challenges of ethical and safe AI usage and cybersecurity within higher education.

The event will also promote collaboration among academia, industry, and government to ensure a comprehensive approach to AI integration in higher education.

Distinguished speakers include the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Cui Jianchun.

Ten chief executives of national and international agencies are expected to deliver keynote speeches. The IIOE Nigeria National Centre is based at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which is currently hosting the Global IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit for 2024. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kabiru Bala, who heads the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit, will deliver the opening remarks.

Professor Muhammad Bashir Mu’azu, Director of the IIOE Nigeria National Centre at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will present on “AI in Higher Education: Ethical Challenges and the Need for a Governance Framework.”