A Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Lagos, Olukemi Lawanson, has called on the National Universities Commission to revamp the nation’s higher education curriculum to align with modern labour market demands.
Delivering the University of Lagos inaugural lecture titled ‘To Everything There Is a Season… The Perspectives of a Labour Economist’ at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, Lawanson advocated a comprehensive review of academic programmes.
She emphasised the need to phase out obsolete courses that have been rendered irrelevant by advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while integrating AI-focused subjects into university curricula.
“The NUC, as the body responsible for designing and approving curricula in tertiary institutions, must ensure that only relevant courses are taught—courses that equip students with skills applicable in today’s labour market. Many traditional courses are already outdated or are on the verge of becoming obsolete due to AI-driven automation,” she stated.
Lawanson called for a “total and complete overhaul” of the curriculum, urging the introduction of new courses that reflect global best practices and the evolving role of AI in various industries. She also stressed the importance of training and retraining lecturers to keep pace with international standards in teaching methodologies.
Highlighting the government’s responsibility, Lawanson urged collaboration with tertiary institutions to modernise education by incorporating AI-related programmes.
She outlined several key measures, including investment in AI infrastructure, such as high-performance computing facilities, AI research labs, and data centres, to enable the effective deployment of AI technologies in education.
She also called for a comprehensive national policy on AI in education to provide a structured framework for integrating AI into teaching, learning, and research at tertiary institutions.
“This policy should cover funding, infrastructure development, and curriculum design. Tertiary institutions should equip students with both technical and soft skills in areas such as machine learning, data science, and responsible AI development.
“The government should collaborate with universities to establish guidelines and frameworks for the ethical use of AI, addressing concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the societal implications of AI adoption,” the don said.
Lawanson also challenged university management teams to ensure that students are well-prepared for the AI-driven job market.
She emphasised the need to cultivate creativity, innovation, and critical thinking in students, encouraging them to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset rather than relying solely on government job opportunities.
“Students must be challenged to think outside the box, to be proactive, and to embrace entrepreneurship. Universities should create learning environments that foster problem-solving skills and adaptability,” she said.
She further advocated for increased government funding for AI research and innovation in tertiary institutions, which would enable universities to develop AI-powered solutions, conduct groundbreaking research, and train the next generation of AI experts.
Lawanson emphasised that embracing AI in education is crucial for national development and global competitiveness.
By implementing strategic policies and investing in AI-driven education, she believes that Nigeria can build a workforce capable of thriving in the digital economy.
“The government must take deliberate steps to support AI integration in education. By doing so, we will not only modernize our institutions but also ensure that our graduates are equipped for an AI-powered future,” she stated.
Source: Punch
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