Category: Campus Life

• Urges on technology use

By Abike Sanusi

Simon Page College of Marketing, Lagos has said marketing students should be trained in modern knowledge that will make them relevant globally.

Founder/Chief Executive Officer of the college, Princewill Omorogiuwa stated these at the institution’s graduation.

He noted that the institution is  committed to ensuring that its graduates become relevant in any environment they find themselves.

Omorogiuwa said the college had become the largest professional marketing trainer in Africa, offering United Kingdom qualifications.

According to him, the college wants to stimulate knowledge sharing by putting together a practitioner-led marketing confab next year.

Read Also: ‘College committed to academic excellence’

In his speech entitled: ‘Unleashing potential for the next level’,  President of the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria, Dr Idorenyen Enang, said marketing is about creating values, adding that where they found themselves  in any aspect of life, marketing brings life to everything.

President and co-Chief Executive Officer, Opay Nigeria, Olu Akanmu, said:  “The business world is changing rapidly. Every business today is impacted by technology. We all talk of digital transformation.

“Every industry is being digitally transformed. Anyone who is going to practice marketing, therefore, must connect to the digital transformation trend in society. You can’t practice modern marketing today without also learning technology. The other thing of course is that as marketing people, we need to be accountable for the investment in marketing.”

One of the graduates, Sandra Ajayi, described her certificate as one of the best in marketing.

The 120 graduates are from  2020- 2022 set.

• By, Uka Nwafor

Language, as I’ve always said, is quite a peculiar phenomenon to every people. And this peculiarity reflects in the modality of thoughts and perceptions into which the language moulds and weaves the people.

Idioms/sayings, being the business at hand, are particulars with which every language community and their thoughts, and perceptions, of the world around them are identified. Such that any alteration in the use of these particulars—the idioms—has automatically marred the intended meaning as it is the language.

Therefore, the effort towards mastery of these expressions should be everyone’s priority, especially in our modern-day society when the English language is gradually becoming the language of power.

Let’s consider some of these idiomatic anomalies as commonly misused by the supposedly advanced users of the English language:

·       On a platter of gold: as in, ‘the man got the job on a platter of gold’. The intended meaning of this idiom is that he got the job easily, or without effort. But the fact remains that the language community, it might perhaps be argued, never uses “gold” to express “luck or being fortunate for something”. “Silver” is the right word the community uses for this. Therefore, the correct idiom for this is: on a silver platter. Hence, ‘the boy got the job on a silver platter’ is perfectly correct. It’s worth noting that ‘silver’ is always used to express luck in the English language. For instance, (a) Every cloud has a silver lining. Meaning that every negative or bad situation has a positive side (b) Some people are born with silver spoon in their mouths’. This means that some people are born into wealthy families. (c) To cross someone’s palm with silver’. Meaning that someone is offered some money as a gift, or for work done. For instance, the Chairman has crossed the performers’ palms with silver’. Though the idiom could also somewhat mean ‘to offer someone a bribe’. (d) To have a silver tongue: this idiom means ‘having an oratory skill, or having the gift of eloquence. For example, ‘he might not be a good writer but his silver tongue can win him over a great deal of supporters’.

·       To sell the family silver: ‘The boy sold the family silver at a slight experience of financial difficulty’. This means that the boy, without proper consideration, sold a very valuable resource for a quick and immediate gain, rather than holding or reserving it for future use.

·       An idle mind is the devil’s workshop: This idiom is so common that almost everyone with slight knowledge of English knows it, and on the queue of its misuse. At other time, many learners of English are subverted in the company of lower and unexposed learners. In most cases, subverted by lower background learner-parents during upbringing. The correct version is: ‘the devil makes work for idle hands’. It means that anyone who does not engage himself in activity that keeps him busy may likely be tempted to commit crime’.

·       He who laughs last laughs best: What marred this idiom is the word ‘best’ because it fails to grasp the thought it’s meant to convey or project in the language. The correct version: ‘he who laughs last laughs longest’. And it means that those who are successful today should not be too proud as others may one day become more successful.

·       Scale through: As in, the boy scaled through in his travel plans. This is another idiom that is un-English. It usually prickles the ears hearing this from advanced users of English. The correct one should be “sail through’’, as in, ‘the boy sailed through his travel plans’. You would also notice that the second use doesn’t contain any preposition as in the first. Another idiom people might be mistaking this for is ‘scrape through’ which means to be narrowly successful in something. For example, ‘The boy managed to scrape through the exam last week.”

·       Send forth party: This usually sounds so absurd hearing it from supposedly good users. First, the phrase ‘send forth’ is not a noun but a verb phrase. So, how then can it suffice for an event of ceremony as has been mistaken by many.  Therefore, ‘send forth’ is a verb phrase and it means ‘to send someone from one place to another, usually without ceremony’.  Unlike ‘send-off’ which is a noun, though when not hyphenated could also be a ‘verb phrase’. Many mistake ‘send forth’ for this. It ought not to be so. Because ‘send-off’ is a noun and it means ‘a ceremony’ organised to bid farewell to a person or group of persons. And it’s worth noting that it’s not used with ‘party’ since the phrase itself already implies ‘a ceremony’. In another sense, ‘send off’, usually without a hyphen, could be a verb which mean ‘to send someone out or away due to rules breached or crime committed.

·       Birds of the same feather flock together: This idiom is often hampered with the modifier ‘same’. It shouldn’t be so. The correct one: ‘Birds of a feather flock together’. And it means ‘people of like mind or character often easily flow and do things together’.

·       The devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know: I usually feel pissed off hearing this from the supposedly advanced speakers who, most times, insist on its use even when corrected.  I understand the enormity of mother-tongue influence in the second language learning but the efforts towards mastery usually yield encouraging results. Most times, our ideas could be great and splendid, but if the tool, which is the language, with which we convey them is shaky, then our acceptance may be endangered. So, the correct form of this idiom is, ‘The devil you know is better than that you don’t’. These idioms may sound strange to many since they seem to contradict their knowledge of them, the way they were taught or probably grew up knowing.

Read Also: Issues with JAMB’s English Language test

·       Worse comes to worse: The problem with this idiom is that many users hardly know which form of the adjective is the word “worse”; whether comparative or superlative. Whereas some care less. Whatever the correct form is none of their businesses. But it might interest you to know that the beauty of language lies in the capacity of usage. So the correct form of the idiom is “if the worst comes to the worst.” Though American English may do away with the definite articles ‘the’ in both clauses.

It might interest you to know that many individuals have hewn honours and respects, hit it hard and huge in life through the proficient use of language. Most especially English language.

So, strive your hardest to master it as it’s become not only a global language but the language of power.

I paused here with head bowed for the language enthusiasts.

© Uka Nwafor ((08033935430)

Students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) are unhappy at the increment in school fee by the university management. They noted that the hike has left parents and guardians grappling with the burden of increased financial pressure. IFUNANYA OSAKWE and VICTOR BILLY (UNIBEN) report.

The sudden hike in school fee at the  University of Benin (UNIBEN) took many students by surprise. They were not adequately prepared for such a financial burden and they are now faced with the daunting task of reassessing their budgets and making difficult decisions to ensure they remain in school.

Following complaints by students, school authorities cited various factors for the hike. They pointed to rising operational costs, including increased staff salaries, maintenance expenses, and the need for technological upgrades to keep up with the evolving educational landscape. Additionally, they mentioned inflationary pressures and the impact of the global economic downturn as contributing factors.

However, critics argue that the sudden and drastic fee increase have put education out of reach of many families, causing  inequality and limiting opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds. Concerns have also been raised about the potential long-term consequences of the fee hike, such as decreased enrollment rates and a widening achievement gap.

Some students noted that the hike was not even announced through a memo . They disclosed that students who went to the school online portal discovered that the school fee had been increased to about N190,000 for fresh science students and N170,000 for non-science students.

Students expressed concerns due to the increase which was over 80 per cent of the old school fees for freshers which was N73,400 for science and N69,900 for non-science students.

Investigation by CAMPUSLIFE revealed that over 16 WhatsApp protest groups with over 1000 students in all was created last week  and if not for the timely intervention of the Students Union Government, UNIBEN would have experienced another protest.

According to most of the students, the university management had lied to them by releasing an information through the SUG, which said the school fee hike was an error in their system and that it would be rectified.

Emmanuel Odion, a student in Linguistics Department, said this was the second time the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lillian  Salami’s administration was  increasing school fees.

“The first time she increased the school fees not everyone even knew. What she did was to increase the school fees of 300-Level and 400-Level students to what 200-Level students were paying. So 400-Level that normally paid about N20,000 began to pay between N41,000 and N45,000,” he said.

On the SUG’s reaction, Okafor Josephine, a student, said it took the strong to lead. According to her, the present SUG executives need to do more than they are doing at the moment.

She said:”It is quite alarming when we see SUG supporting the action of the school management instead of fighting for students’ welfare. I happen to talk to one of the SUG excos and he told me that the school fees increment was due to government policy on student loans.

“He said the school management had to increase it because it was unanimous decisions made by all Vice Chancellors of federal universities. I was shocked. This is someone we elected to look after the students welfare.

“This is one of the problem we face in Nigeria. People who are placed as checks and balances have been bought by those who they are to checkmate. It is sad but through. I remembered the last protest we did when the school management increased the school fees to N60,000.

“The protest was only a success because their was no SUG excos at that time. They were not elected then. So this brings me to ask ths question, what is the need for SUG?

“To me SUG government creates more problem instead of bringing relief. Especially one that is not brave enough to stand up for the students they are meant to protect,” she said.

Osakuni Moses, an Agriculture student, said the school fees increment was uncalled for.

“I understand school needs to cover its expenses, but the sudden hike in school fees is a burden for many of us. It would have been better if they had given us notice or provided us with alternative payment plans,” he said.

Osagie Joan, a 100-Level student, said she was not sure of retaining her admission.

“I come from a low-income background, and the increase in school fees has put a tremendous strain on my family. I’m worried that I may not be able to continue my education here because of the financial burden. My parents had already saved up money to pay my school fees when we got the information that it has been increased. Although they said that it was reduced a little bit, but someone of my financial status cannot afford to pay this new fee,” she said.

Ibrahim Mark, a Business Administration student, said it was very ridiculous to increase school fees to such an amount. According to him, nothing significant has been done with the previous fee they have been paying.

“The school fee hike feels unfair, especially considering that we have not seen any significant improvements or added benefits in education or facilities provided. It is disheartening to see our hard-earned money being used for purposes other than enhancing our learning experience.

“Higher education is already expensive, and the sudden increase in school fees only adds to the financial stress on students and their families. It would be great if the school administration could consider more affordable options or provide additional financial aid to support those who are struggling,” he said.

Damilola Akande, a student of Agriculture, noted  that the school management failed to study the background of students in federal universities.

“I believe education should be accessible to all, regardless of their financial background. The significant hike in school fee creates a barrier for many students who are eager to learn but are unable to afford the increased cost. It’s essential for the school to prioritise affordability and ensure equal opportunities for all.

“The increase in school fee is discouraging and demotivating. It makes me question whether the administration truly values students’ aspirations and well-being. Education should be a priority, and such drastic fee hikes can hinder our ability to pursue our dreams,” she said.

Martha Agboh, a student of Economics, said: “I understand that running a school requires funding, but the sudden hike in the fee is a shock to many of us. It  is putting added pressure on students, both academically and emotionally. Many of us are already into part-time jobs to cover our expenses, and this increase only adds to our stress. The school should consider the financial hardships students face before making such decisions.”

Favour Osita, student of Education, said  the hike is making it increasingly difficult for students to focus on their studies.

“Instead of worrying about making ends meet, we should be able to concentrate on our education and personal growth. The administration should be more considerate of the impact the increases have on our overall well-being. It actually feels like a betrayal of trust. We enrolled in this institution with the understanding that we would be able to afford our education here. The hike not only breaks that trust but also creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and unease among the student community”, she said.

Management, SUG strike deal

According to the SUG President, Nmoye Israel, in a final memo on the meeting with the school management, all efforts have been made and the school fees have been reduced to N105,000 for non-science and N115,000 for science students.

During the heat of the fee hike, the SUG Vice President, Divine Osasogie resigned. She sited various reasons such as non-accountability of the SUG office in fighting for the students welfare. She, however, called on the SUG to remember their aim and not to deviate from their course.

Sterling Bank has solved the problem of investing for value in the education sector.

This was made known at a press conference in Lagos.

Divisional Head for Growth at Sterling Bank Obinna Ukachukwu said to invest in the education sector, one must ensure that the productivity output of skilled labour, coming out of the specific education programme being invested in, must exceed the funding input over a period of time.

According to him, underfunding a sector is supposed to drive skill acquisition and development, would  result in productivity deficit across every other sector.

“If you want to guarantee the future of a community and nation at large, you have to educate your population in courses that lead to specific acquisition of skills that drive productivity and that are geared to endeavours that solve actual problems in the society, and not just the issuance of certificates.

“If you want education to work, you need to approach it in a way that ensures the education pays for itself. This is what the top institutions in the world’s top economies are doing – graduates of these institutions are creating value far greater than the systems that have produced them, and it is from the value created that endowments are created to fund the institutions and systems. The focus should be on the outcome of education beyond graduates and certificates, but economic output,” he said.

Ukachukwu noted that Sterling’s model focuses on innovation, partnerships, and investments in projects that generate sustainable value for educated individuals, the community and the nation.

He  said Sterling’s ongoing partnership with Decagon, which has  financed the training of over 600 market-ready software engineers in less than 24 months.

The Divisional Head further gave examples of active innovations with Job Skillers, Nexford University, Founders Institute, among others.

He also said the bank has been actively developing solutions and creating partnerships that bridge the funding gap for students and educators, while ensuring that the output of these programmes are ready to be absorbed by companies sourcing talent with skills that are in demand in industry.

“We have working students at Sterling, schooling in the university, and paying for their education from their work allowances,’’ he added.

We have also created a banker’s certificate course that trains applicants on banking as a skill, to create industry-ready applicants,” he added.

He said  the bank has arguably the largest lending portfolio to students in Nigeria, with financing in excess of N 15 billion to the education value chain, anchored with our novel students loan propositions and training to upskill educators to ensure that as many of the needs of the industry are met across board.

 Ukachukwu added that the outcome of this model is a starting point for the bank to prepare to expand investment in the sector.

London Academy Business School (LABS), a private  institution in London with a campus in Lagos, has partnered the University of Sunderland, United Kingdom(UK).

This would enable  LABS to  offer a range of degree programmes  accredited by the UK-based university.

The partnership represents a step forward for both institutions. LABS is equipped to deliver an unparalleled educational experience, enriched by the academic excellence and global reputation of the University of Sunderland.

A statement by LABS noted that students do not need the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result to run the programmes.

“One major objective of this partnership is to open up access to students to higher education post-high school, hereby eliminating the wait time JAMB requires with its  admission requirements.

“This partnership allows LABS to expand its educational offerings and provide students with globally recognised qualifications and an internationally competitive learning experience.

“It ensures  that students receive rigorous academic training and qualifications that are recognised globally.

 “Our highly qualified faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and student-centered approach ensure that students receive the highest quality education and gain the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen fields,” the statement said.

Degree programmes available include Business Management, Business and Marketing Management, Computer Science: With a focus on computer programming, Network Systems Engineering Top Up, among others.

LABS also offers teacher training and  executive education courses.

Thus, it reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, international recognition,delivering quality education and empowering students with the tools  needed for success.

• By Tunde Adeniyi,

Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State and Sahara Group have partnered to transform exceptional talent from the institution to outstanding global business leaders.

The partnership is a  step towards enhancing the firm’s commitment to supporting young Africans to compete internationally as “innovators birthing sustainable solutions to unfolding global challenges”.

Speaking during a meeting with the management team of the university in Ota, the firm’s Group Head, Human Resource, Ivie Imasogie-Adigun,  said the collaboration between the energy conglomerate and the university would focus on building a talent pipeline that aligns with its  business goals.

“Our data over the years indicate that Covenant University is among the top three universities where we get the best candidates. Working with the school presents a unique opportunity to collaborate with a world-class institution to attract, retain and develop the best talent for our businesses spread across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, who was excited about the partnership, stated that it would open more frontiers, expand the institution’s industry relations, and create more opportunities for  its graduates.

“In the past years, we have produced the most employable graduates in Nigeria. We look forward to Sahara Group absorbing more Covenant graduates as it continues to record sterling achievements as a foremost energy company in Africa,” he sad.

Describing interactions with the institution’s graduates as a “recruiter’s delight”, Head, Talent Acquisition, Sahara Group, Israel Oloyede noted that the initiative with the institution would give the firm  access to “an incredible talent pool of graduates with diverse backgrounds, skills, and aspirations that will drive innovation and growth.”

An alumnus of the university and a Sahara Graduate Management Trainee, Samuel Gwani described the project as a “game-changer students,” adding that the firm gives “regional and global platforms” to  make a difference.

Another Covenant alumnus and Sahara Graduate Management Trainee,  Tolulope Gbenro said “the partnership would be a win-win situation for both brands and above all, provide a world of endless possibilities to university graduates.”

By Victor Billy, UUP

The Managing Director of the PWAN Plus Business Concerns Limited, owners of the Cedarwood brand of luxury homes, Dr. Julius Oyedemi, has awarded scholarships to 65 students of Uma Ukpai Polytechnic (UUP), Asaga in Ohafia, Abia State.

He  paid  the bills of indebted students, gifted 54 students feeding money and placed two on a monthly allowance.

Rector, Clement Ogbonna, lauded Oyedemi for his love for staff and students of the institution.

He noted that the institution’s  edition of History Maker’s Summit, in which Oyedemi was guest lecturer, was remarkable.

“This year’s History Maker’s Summit saw us in another perspective. Oyedemi is worth hearing. His teachings entitled: ‘Mindset and positive thinking’, left us in awe.

“Our staff and students’ minds were renewed daily in this conference. No one sees failure anymore, anywhere. Rather, we’ve been exposed to the fact that every greatness exists first on your mind,” he said.

The Rector said Oyedemi had also demonstrated his teaching having showered  love and care on staff, students, and management of the polytechnic.

 “He gave many scholarships, released indebted students from unpaid fees, placed a staff and a student on monthly allowances, gave 54 students generous feeding money, cash benefits, clothes, and shoes to impoverished students, and paid house rents for some staff of the polytechnic.

 “As if that is not enough, Oyedemi promised to give instant employment to anyone who graduates from the polytechnic. Can you see why you should now register your child here?” he said.

today named after him. It’s now known as Dr Julius Oyedemi Electrical Electronic Engineering Department,” the Rector said.

The  management also  introduced two new courses, MONEY 101 and MONEY 102, designed to teach students how to create wealth and achieve financial success, as Oyedemi was appointed as the instructor for the courses.

A week of excitement and friendship unfolded at Augustine University (AU), Ilara-Epe, as students gathered for the Student Week.

 The event brought together the university community for activities such as community service initiatives, and a grand celebration of achievements.

The “Praise Night,” where students displayed their musical prowess in worship and praise, served as the event’s opening act.

Students visited  the neighbourhood orphanage.The encounter served as a reminder of the value of civic engagement and how people impact lives.

The long-awaited “Hall Night” was one of the highlights of the week. Students from various hostels remained up late to socialise and promote solidarity. 

The “Treasure Hunt” added a sense of excitement and urged healthy competition by having participants look everywhere for buried clues. The  winner who discovered the secrets would receive the grand prize of N100,000, while the last girl standing would be given N30,000.

  At a seminar entitled:”Work smart, not hard,” participants were taught how to increase productivity and succeed in several facets of life. Students were advised at the seminar to balance their academic goals with wise plans for their future endeavours.

 The “Bonfire Party” gave students a chance to unwind, and create enduring connections.

The school was treated to a magnificent “Dinner Night” the following evening, during which students displayed their abilities through a variety of acts. Students thrilled the audience with their ingenuity and passion, bringing the stage to life with poetry and song.

The evening came to a close with the awaited award ceremony, which honoured outstanding students in categories including  Most Intellectual, Most Sociable, Enterprising  and Fashionable.

On Sunday, staff and students attended thanksgiving church service.

Highlight of the Week was the  “Pageantry”, where the students enjoyed display of exceptional talent, style, and self-assurance.

The  Sam Maris University, Supare Akoko, Ondo State, has rolled out the 2023/2024 admission process after it was granted an operational license.

The university, alongside 36 others, was on May 15 approved and granted operational licenses by the Federal Government to commence academic business.

Its Chairman and Chief Promoter, Mr. Sam Ologunorisa (SAN), said it would commence the admission process with the faculties of Social and Management Sciences and the Computing and Environmental Sciences.

In all, he said the university would run 18 courses across the two faculties in its first four years.

They are Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Taxation, Entrepreneurship, Economics, International Relations and Diplomacy, Security Studies and Mass Communication.

Others are Architecture, Estate Management, Surveying and Geoinformatics, Building, Quantity Surveying, Urban and Regional Planning, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Environmental Management.

In a statement, Ologunorisa said SAM MARIS would strive “to be a world-renowned university that is internationally distinguished for its excellent research, high academic standards in legal, managerial, social and applied sciences and commitment to social justice.”

It reads: “At SAM MARIS University, we are motivated to create an ICT-driven academic conducive environment and committed to high-quality teaching, experiential learning, cutting-edge and high-impact research and good character.

“We are driven by the need to produce globally competitive graduates nurtured with the spirit of entrepreneurship.

“We are also driven by the need to provide the new generation of leaders with the requisite knowledge and skills required to run the emerging 21st Century knowledge-driven economy.

“Its mission is to discover, disseminate and apply the knowledge of law, social, management and applied sciences for human well-being and the development of society.’’

“The nature of the proposed university and its focal points is to provide quality instruction in Law, Humanities, Management and Social Sciences and Applied Sciences.

“The University is fully residential and its door is opened to all irrespective of colour, race, gender and social status.

“Our ultimate goal is to produce job-creators rather than job-seekers.”

Technology has transformed the way people work, think, interface, and learn. One of the latest is ChatGPT, an advanced language model, popular among students. ChatGPT, despite its positive contributions, can overshadow human intelligence, encourage poor reading culture and malpractice. VICTOR BILLY (UNIBEN) reports.

Technology is an indispensable part of human life. One groundbreaking development in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ChatGPT, a sophisticated language model that has revolutionised the way students access information, engage in discussions, grab juicy opportunities and enhance their learning experience.

Gone are the days when students had to surf through books or navigate multiple websites to find relevant information for their research projects. With ChatGPT, they have an intelligent virtual assistant at their fingertips. This powerful language model can swiftly provide them with comprehensive and accurate answers to their queries, saving them valuable time and effort. Whether it is exploring complex scientific concepts, understanding historical events, or accessing the latest academic studies, ChatGPT acts as a knowledge repository, simplifying the research process and broadening students’ intellectual horizons, while affecting their thinking ability.

However, while it has garnered attention for its positive contributions to students’ academics, experts believe  it has  potential negative impact on them. They noted that as long as every other  technological innovations have drawbacks, ChatGPT is not an exception.

Students have expressed their views on AI-powered tool. To some, it is advantageous, while others hold opposing views, saying it might result in mental laziness overshadow human intelligence, encourage malpractice and decline in reading culture.

Abdulazeez Abdulyusuf, a 300-Level student of  Mass Communication, University of Benin, Benin City, said despite its usefulness, it could still be an enemy to man.

He noted that AI is, undoubtedly, a welcome development, but that any innovation, including AI, has its drawbacks.

He raised concerns about the abuse of AI and the possibility of it overshadowing human intelligence, urging students to strike a balance and celebrate the importance of human intellectual development.

He said: “First, every technological innovation is aimed at performing or assisting in the performance of human task for effectiveness and ease and if not all, most of these innovations have been able to achieve such to a great extent. AI is of course, a welcome development. Now, are there drawbacks to these innovations? The answer is yes. The only thing that has an advantage without a disadvantage is nothing and this is because humans are able to abuse anything at all.”

Abdulyusuf believes that AI was invented to assist  human intelligence  in achieving a goal. In the case of abuse, it can become the primary tool for getting a job done at the detriment of the human intelligence. He said the issue of AI dominating the human intelligence is a  problem that can not be avoided because humans are insatiable in wants and needs and the mind woould not stop thinking of ways to get things done easier.

To strike a balance between the human intelligence and AI, he urged students to create a distinction between them.    

“This can be contained by drawing a fine distinction between AI and human intelligence and then, making deliberate attempt to celebrate and glorify the human intelligence in every possible way to encourage those who would want to make attempt to develop themselves intellectually,” he said.

 Mark Goodness, another UNIBEN student, is delighted that the world is changing rapidly and technology speedily advancing.

According to her, ChatGPT was of immense help to her during preparation for exams and still serves her for both assignments and random school works. She went further by spelling out how disadvantageous ChatGPT can be to students.

She expressed concerns on students’ over-reliance on the AI software, which has resulted in a decline in reading culture and the promotion of examination malpractice.

“With ChatGPT in its purposeful state, students have been overly reliant and it is now a custom and tradition for students to always seek the aid of ChatGPT in any assignment given. Also, with ChatGPT,  reading culture of students has dropped drastically, leading to  examination malpractice in various institutions,” she said.

Goodness, however, urged to students to be self-reliant so that the mind could be well developed and in a way to embrace AI.

For Saliu Khadijah, a student of the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, ChatGPT assists students in executing difficult tasks.

 Highlighting the impacts, she said: “It  heightens students’ focus on personal learning because of its effectiveness, intelligent and thoughtful responses to query. Moreso, its speed in delivering data is second to none.”

Wilfred Oghenerukevwe, a final year student at  UNIBEN, acknowledged the immense help Chat GPT provides in accessing information quickly. However, he believes it threatens critical thinking and independent research skills, cautioning students to strike a balance between AI tools and other means of learning.

She said: “As a  student, ChatGPT specifically, has been of immense help to me as it provides me information on a wide range of topics, in a matter of seconds. It is also a very convenient learning and research tool. However, I believe it poses a threat to the critical thinking and independent research skills of students, as they may oftentimes over-rely on it.”

She noted that students should strike a balance, knowing when to utilise ChatGPT and other AI chatbots and when to explore other means of learning.

“I also urge students to see these AI tools as supplements in their learning journey, and not as replacements,” she said.

Adetoyose Mercy, a 300-Level student at University of Ibadan, said: “Using the AI chat bot in itself isn’t bad. In fact, it is more like a necessity as technology is  taking over. However, students should be mindful of how they engage it or else, they would find themselves slowly becoming retarded and over dependent on it.”

She suggested that AI should only be used when there is a need for  further explanation or details and not seeking answers from it  from scratch.

For Okoh Goodness, a 100-Level student  at University of Port Harcourt, said: “Technology is something that evolves almost everyday. Technological products are more advantageous to young people, especially students. Take the AI chatbot as an example. It is quick, fast and reliable. It gives you a more detailed answer to questions, and you know students like ‘sharp things.’ It has been of great help to me. There’s no need going through a long process to get answers to critical questions, when there’s ChatGPT.”

On the disadvantages, she noted that students no longer think with their brain. They solely rely on AI.

“The brain works with the principle of ‘use it’ or ‘lose it’. A brain not in use might cause danger to  health,” she added.

She also noted that AI has the tendency to enslave students.

Adelore Sunday,  a student of Covenant University, Ogun State, said: “As a student in my final year, preparing my project and juggling school assignments, ChatGPT became an unexpected yet major part of my life. It helped me gather data, paraphrase my work, source references and many other activities that might have been tedious for me to do on my own. Safe to say, ChatGPT has done a lot for me.

“However, from an objective point of view, I see the issues that might arise from the continuous usage of this AI tool. It’s easy to become dependent on it, to adopt a mindset where there’s no need to stress as ChatGPT dey for me. It could lead to a reduction in creativity, a reduction in self-sufficiency as more people begin to forgo the stress of performing tasks for themselves in favour of simply leaving it to the AI. All in all, I feel the AI depends on the user and how he or she makes use of it.”

Daniel Adeolu, a student at Bowen University, Ogun State, stated that ChatGPT is important to him and he believes that case is same for other students.

” ChatGPT has indeed helped me in my times of need. Whenever I have an assignment and don’t know how to go about it,  I run to ChatGPT to see how to go about it. I believe it is the same case for students elsewhere.”

For him, the only negative impact ChatGPT has on students is the fact that it instills laziness in them  and eventually makes such persons useless.

“As the academic landscape continues to evolve, Chat GPT has emerged as a valuable tool for students. Its ability to streamline research, provide accurate information, and enhance learning experiences cannot be underestimated.

“However, it is important for students to strike a balance and maintain critical thinking, independence, and self-reliance in their academic pursuits. AI should be seen as a supplement, not a replacement, to ensure the development of essential skills and the preservation of intellectual autonomy.

“Chat GPT has, undeniably, transformed the academic lives of  students, providing them with quick access to information and simplifying the research process. However, it is vital to address the potential drawbacks and foster a balanced approach to AI utilisation.

“By integrating AI literacy programmes, promoting critical thinking, and encouraging independent research, students can leverage the benefits of ChatGPT while preserving their intellectual independence and growth.

“The goal is to empower students to become active, discerning users of AI technology, rather than passive consumers reliant solely on its capabilities,” Adeolu said.

It is not the same for Iwunna Jude, a 300-Level student at the Department of Mass Communication, Imo State University, Owerri, who condemned  the innovation. To him, it has made students over reliant on the AI software.

 “I strongly condemn this innovation as it would make students overly reliant that they  can’t face real time situations,” he said.

He said lecturers are really not advanced and tech savvy, which makes it difficult for them to know if answers are  lifted online or generated through AI.

 “Students should pay less attention to  AI as it will only drain their brains and not make them independent of themselves,” he added.