Nigeria: ABU, UNESCO, Others Plan National Dialogue On Use Of Artificial Intelligence

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.

It is jointly put together by Ahmadu Bello University, International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) and UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI).

The one-day national dialogue, which will take place at the Communication and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, will be declared open by the Honourable. Minister of Education, Professor.Tahir Mamman, SAN.

This is contained in an official statement issued by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Entitled “National Dialogue on Consensus Framework Towards a Policy/Guidelines Roadmap for Nigerian Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, the event is part of an effort to empower policymakers, educators, learners and researchers to fully take the advantages of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and research.

Specifically, the objective of the national dialogue is to examine the potential benefits of incorporating AI technologies in teaching, learning, and research to improve innovation, global competitiveness and preparedness for the future workplace.

“It is to also identify challenges related to the responsible, ethical and safe use of AI and cybersecurity concerns within the higher education landscape.

Further, the gathering is to facilitate collaboration among academia, industry, and government to ensure a holistic approach to the integration of AI in higher education.

The Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and His Excellency, Cui Jianchun, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, are among the numerous personalities who will speak at the occasion.

A total of 10 chief executives of national and international agencies are expected to give keynote speeches.
The IIOE Nigeria National Centre is domiciled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. And presently, the University is hosting the Global IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit 2024.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor. Kabiru Bala, who assumed the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit 2024, will give the opening remarks at the one-day occasion.

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