Computer scientists to help revamp Nigeria’s education sector with AI

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on Sunday called for the revamping of the Education Sector to provide access to affordable, and easy teaching and learning for all.

Computer scientists to help revamp Nigeria’s education sector with AI

AI Prof Abejide Ibijola said great teaching should be at the forefront if Africa thinks of a future with AI in education.

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on Sunday called for the revamping of the Education Sector to provide access to affordable, and easy teaching and learning for all.

Its president, Sirajo Aliyu, who made the call in an interview in Lagos, said NCS was imagining a future where technology would revolutionise the way Nigerians learn and work.

He said NCS, as the umbrella body for IT professionals, intended to make this vision a reality.

“From championing artificial intelligence to data mining, the NCS is always at the forefront of the latest trends. This organisation is working tirelessly to develop programmes that address the needs of the sector, often anticipating and shaping the future of IT,” Mr Sirajo said.

According to him, one area that stands to benefit greatly from the NCS’ efforts is education, which integrates AI into tertiary institutions to make learning and teaching more accessible, affordable, and effective.

“Imagine online classes where resources are readily available, and students can learn at their own pace; the cost of education will plummet, making it possible for more people to access quality learning,” he stressed.

Mr Sirajo added that with the government’s support in creating an enabling environment, harnessing AI was within the reach of the NCS. He said the Nigerian Communications Commission was working hard to improve infrastructure, making broadband more affordable.

He said for N100, students could access data for learning, paving the way for a future where online classes are the norm.

In an earlier virtual event organised by the NCS, some IT experts also joined their voices to the call for the revamping of the Nigerian education sector. The professionals called for an innovative nation and continent with future thinking towards AI.

The experts made the call at the third ”Technology-Enhanced Learning/ Computer Education Forum organised by NCS.

Abejide Ibijola, professor of Artificial intelligence and Applications, Johannesburg Business School, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, said that almost all African countries shared most of the problems faced as a country in Nigeria.

Mr Ibijola said young people in Africa, generally, Nigeria specifically, needed to be exposed to fast-paced training tailored towards the future, which could change their mindset towards being innovative.

The professor said great teaching should be at the forefront if the continent thinks of a future with AI in education.