NSUK Hosts 28th ASSEREN National Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has hosted the 28th Annual National Conference of the Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria (ASSEREN), bringing together scholars, researchers, policymakers and education stakeholders from across the country to examine the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on education.

The conference, held on July 14, 2026, at the University's Multipurpose Hall, was themed "Engaging Artificial Intelligence in Educational Research and Assessment." It provided a platform for discussions on the opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in teaching, learning, research and educational evaluation.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, the Dean of the Postgraduate School, Professor Abdullahi Adamu Sulaiman, declared the conference open and described the theme as timely and highly relevant in view of the rapid pace of technological advancement worldwide.

Professor Sulaiman said Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of modern society with significant potential to transform educational research and assessment. He, however, stressed that its adoption must be guided by ethical principles, transparency, fairness and accountability.

He maintained that AI should complement, rather than replace, human intelligence, creativity and professional judgement. He also reaffirmed the University's commitment to advancing excellence in teaching, research and innovation, expressing confidence that the conference would produce practical recommendations to strengthen educational policy and practice in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Isaac Kukwi, noted that Artificial Intelligence has evolved from a futuristic concept into a present-day reality that is reshaping educational systems across the world. He said the conference was organised to critically examine both the opportunities and the ethical, legal and data privacy concerns associated with the deployment of AI in education.

The National President of ASSEREN, Dr. Ihekwaba Chinyere, commended the management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, for hosting the conference and for the hospitality extended to participants. She explained that the gathering was aimed at promoting national dialogue on AI-driven educational research, encouraging innovative research methodologies, strengthening collaboration among researchers and advancing equity and inclusiveness in the digital era.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor U. S. Gbari, and the Head of the Department of Educational Foundations, Dr. J. M. Adikwo, called on educational institutions to embrace the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence while safeguarding academic integrity, research ethics and data privacy.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Amos Iliya of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), who spoke on the topic, "Using Emerging Artificial Intelligence Tools in Educational Research and Assessment."

Dr. Iliya highlighted the transformative role of AI in educational research, noting that emerging AI tools have improved data analysis, enhanced research accuracy and enabled researchers to identify complex patterns within large datasets. He, however, warned of potential challenges, including algorithmic bias, limited transparency and threats to data privacy.

To promote the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence in education, he recommended the introduction of comprehensive AI literacy programmes for staff and students, the development of clear institutional policies on AI usage, the strengthening of research ethics frameworks, regular monitoring of AI systems to ensure fairness and accountability, and sustained investment in digital infrastructure to bridge existing technological gaps.

Participants concluded the conference with a renewed commitment to promoting the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in education, emphasising that while technology will continue to shape the future of learning and research, human creativity, critical thinking and ethical judgement must remain central to educational development.

The successful hosting of the 28th ASSEREN National Conference further reinforces Nasarawa State University, Keffi's reputation as a centre of academic excellence, innovation and intellectual leadership, while providing a platform for national conversations on emerging issues shaping higher education and sustainable development.