AFUED Academics Urged to Embrace Artificial Intelligence for Global Competitiveness

The Acting Rector of the Adeyemi College of Technology (ACT) Ondo, Dr. Adenegan Kehinde Emmanuel, has advised members of academic staff in the Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED) Ondo to embrace the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their teaching, in order to enhance their knowledge and become globally competitive.

Adenegan gave the advice in a paper presented at a training workshop organised for some selected members of academic staff of the University, which held on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in the University.

Speaking on: " Bridging Skills Acquisition through Artificial Intelligence for Education, Social and Economic Transformation", the renowned mathematics lecturer, emphasised importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in contemporary society saying " AI has not come to replace human beings, we have to position ourselves to move with the trends, as academics, we have to look at areas where AI can help us to achieve our goals and objectives" he remarked.

Also stressing importance of skills acquisition as one of the ways through which unemployment could be addressed in Nigeria, the ACT Acting Rector, advised job seekers especially those who have graduated from tertiary institutions to change their focus to skills acquisition by acquiring training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), stating that the move would provide means for them to develop practical competencies and become self-reliance, which could give them an edge over those without skills.

Adenegan listed some challenges facing applications of AI in Nigeria to include problem of data privacy, challenges associated with knowledge gap as well as mis-use of its applications by some users of the device, to mention but few.

As panacea, the renowned Mathematician urged the participants to embrace AI by applying it in their areas of specialisation. He also appealed to stakeholders in the education sector to integrate AI into school curriculum and provide more funds needed for provision of digital infrastructure.

In addition, Adenegan also made case for training and re-training of lecturers as well as provision of needed support, stating that the development would bring positive impact in the advancement of education in the country.

Earlier in her paper presentation on : " Academic Relationship with University Students", a former Director in the Directorate of Counselling and Human Development and Career Service Centre AFUED Ondo, Mrs. Catherine Olubukunola Olotu, stressed importance of education saying education should not be considered only as an intellectual activity, but one that requires relationships building.

She spoke on what she classified as traditional and transformation models of education and harped on the need for lecturers to be innovative by "moving away from old ways of teaching to new one".

Olotu also stressed the need for development of new academic culture in Nigeria's tertiary institutions, saying "academic culture is when studying is not forced but made to become a national lifestyle of the University community.

The Counselling Specialist advised Nigerian Universities" to move away from what she described as Authority -based relationship to Partnership -based relationship, stating the step would make learning more conducive and boost learners interest in education.

Speaking earlier while delivering his address of welcome, the current Director, Counselling Human Development and Career Service Centre, AFUED, Dr. Martins Femi Dada, stated that the workshop was organised, for the purpose of exploring strategies needed for fostering good relationship between lecturers and students and to equip "our students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world".

The AFUED CHDCSC Director emphasised the importance of Artificial Intelligence in educational development, saying "it is imperative that as educators, we should adapt and innovate in order to prepare our students for challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

He expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and other members of the University Management for support provided and commended staff of the CHDCSC for their contributions towards the success of the workshop.

The event which held at the Obongawan Grace Ekong Lecture theatre in the University, was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor AFUED, Prof. Ireti Folasade Alao who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bayode Isaiah Popoola; Ag. Rector, Adeyemi College of Technology Ondo, Dr. Adenegan Kehinde Emmanuel; Director, CHDCSC, AFUED, Dr. Martins Femi Dada as well Chairman, Academic Staff Transition Committee AFUED, Dr. Bosun Ajisafe.

Also present were Deans and Directors, Heads of Departments and Units as well as staff and students from the University.