The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has urged Nigerian universities to take bold steps toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their academic systems, describing it as a crucial force shaping the country’s future.

Delivering a lecture at the 23rd Convocation Ceremony of Igbinedion University, Okada, he emphasized that AI is rapidly transforming global education, adding that Nigeria must choose to steer this change rather than lag behind.

General Nafiu highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population—about 60 percent of whom are under 25—as a strategic advantage. He said this demographic strength could be a major national asset if universities invest in AI education and modernize their academic structures.

Citing projections, he noted that Nigeria’s AI industry has the potential to expand by 27 percent annually and contribute up to $15 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2030.

He pointed to successful AI-driven learning initiatives around the world and within Edo State, explaining that these innovations have consistently improved student performance. According to him, the evidence shows that AI can enhance teaching quality, widen learning opportunities, and boost Nigeria’s position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The NYSC DG outlined several benefits of AI in higher education, such as personalized learning platforms, faster research processes, improved access to quality instruction, and more efficient campus administration.

He maintained that universities must shift from relying solely on foreign technologies to developing solutions tailored to African contexts.

“We should prioritize AI innovations that solve our local challenges—from agricultural forecasting systems to diagnostics for region-specific diseases, and educational platforms suited to our multilingual and resource-limited environment,” he said.

General Nafiu added that the NYSC is well positioned to support this transformation, noting that its annual deployment of nearly 400,000 Corps members presents a strategic pathway to strengthening digital literacy nationwide. He proposed that Corps members could serve as AI literacy ambassadors in both urban and rural areas.

He, however, acknowledged existing obstacles, including weak infrastructure, the risk of technological dependence on foreign powers, limited AI expertise within academia, ethical concerns, and inadequate funding.

He called on universities to adopt clear ethical guidelines for AI use and create policies that safeguard academic standards.

General Nafiu recommended five key steps: upgrading technological infrastructure, revising curricula, investing in lecturer training, strengthening institutional governance, and ensuring fair access to AI tools.

He congratulated graduating students and encouraged them to navigate the digital era with purpose, stating, “AI has already reshaped the world around you; your responsibility is to drive the next phase of its transformation.”