During a recent event in Lagos, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president, highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the issue of millions of Nigerian children who are not attending school. This message was delivered at the third international colloquium and 50th anniversary of learning opportunities hosted by the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Artificial Intelligence’s widespread integration into the Education sector was the event’s central focus, questioning the future of open, flexible, and distance learning in light of this invasion.
He highlighted the dire situation in Nigeria’s education sector, stating that more than 20 million Nigerian children are currently out of school. He emphasised the urgent need for innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence and open distance learning to address this crisis and improve access to education. He also decided to take his own advice and enrol in a distance-learning university. Nowadays, people recognise the value of distance learning certificates more than traditional ones. Obasanjo praised the university’s efforts to foster Innovation both on campus and beyond.
Institutions should shift towards technology-based education.
In her speech, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, expressed her pride in the institution’s embrace of distance learning, citing its acknowledgement of the shift towards technology-based education in the future. She highlighted Nigeria’s rising population of 226 million, with 89 percent being youths aged between 15 and 30, emphasising the significant need for education in the country. Currently, there are about two million individuals enrolled in universities, with a quarter participating in distance education and the remaining 1.5 million attending one of the 246 universities available.
Technology-driven bodiless universities pave the path for enhancing education. UNILAG stands out for its innovation globally by fearlessly embracing change to elevate the education system. Ogunsola explained that in the past, distance learning at UNILAG was stigmatised. However, she noted that the only distinction between distance learning and traditional degree programs is the method of delivery. She mentioned that the university is taking steps to ensure that the DLI certificate holds the same value as other degree certificates after the approval of the university’s senate.
Educators will be engaged globally with the new innovation.
As a university, they understand the importance of implementing innovative methods for this learning. One approach is to incorporate distance teaching within the university system. Amid the challenges of COVID-19 and ‘Japa Syndrome’ causing a loss of lecturers, their goal is to effectively engage educators globally through various means. Ogunsola announced plans to explore creative methods for teaching remotely. He added that distance teaching for this programme will be implemented by the following year. Implementing this could effectively address the challenges related to university accommodation and transportation.
Prof. Ramesh Sharma in his remark emphasised how Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised the field of open distance and online education careers. He reassured the audience that AI should not be viewed as a threat to job security, as many individuals already rely on AI technologies, such as robot vacuums, in their daily lives. It encompasses various tiers such as artificial superintelligence, general intelligence, and narrow intelligence. With an AI-driven educational environment tailored for remote learning, individuals can enhance their learning capabilities significantly, he remarked.
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Sharma believes AI can transform education by predicting success, identifying risks, analysing data, and offering insights. Also, Prof. Risikat Dauda, UNILAG’s Director of Distance Learning Institute, emphasised the importance of utilising AI in education in a responsible manner. According to Dauda, AI integration in education is revolutionising traditional teaching methods. According to report, Prof. Kabiru Isyaku, Pro-Chancellor of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN) in Kano, is the Chairman of the program. Prof. Tayo Arulogun, the Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University in Abuja, and several other notable individuals attended the event.