The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Making education accessible and relevant

    Making education accessible and relevant

    • By Daniel Ighakpe

    Sir: The inability of our educational system to provide youths with the demands of industries has led to increased frustrations. The teaching and learning that takes place in Nigerian schools, even at the basic education level, must look beyond simply promoting literacy and numeracy. Vocational education and training needs to be given serious attention, too. There is also a need for the government to collaborate with the private sector. Vocational education necessitates stronger partnerships between school and industries to ensure that students gain valuable real-world experience. Companies can provide internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training, thereby helping students transition smoothly from school to the workforce.

    With the rise of technology, there has been greater emphasis on ensuring that everyone has the digital skills needed to thrive in the digital world. Also, there is growing recognition that education is essential for addressing the climate crisis. Efforts are being made to integrate environmental awareness and sustainability into the school curricula. Integrating climate education into the school curricula and training will foster climate-conscious citizens and leaders, making it a powerful tool for mitigating climate change. This is because educated individuals are more likely to adopt sustainable practices, understand climate risks and support climate policies.

    Also, education for climate action can help provide green skills like technical, socio-emotional and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical) skills that are needed for jobs in a sustainable economy. It also fosters innovation to help tackle the climate challenge.

    Furthermore, education drives climate action as it prepares communities for climate impacts, teaching disaster preparedness, resilience, and coping mechanisms. Youths educated in climate action can become powerful advocates in driving behavioural change, innovation and adaptation, as well as demanding action from governments and institutions.

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    Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come with the potential to enable new forms of teaching, learning and educational management. Teachers, being the primary users of AI in education, are expected to be the designers and facilitators of students’ learning with AI. To assume this responsibility, teachers need to be supported to develop their capabilities to leverage the potential benefits of AI, while mitigating its risks in education settings and wider society. AI tools should never be designed to replace the legitimate accountability of teachers in education. While AI offers opportunities to support teachers in both teaching as well as in the management of learning processes, meaningful interactions between teachers and students, and human flourishing, should remain at the centre of the educational experience.

    Education is a fundamental human right, a public good, and a public responsibility. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, it will be difficult to break the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth, and adults behind.

    Nigeria is a ‘country of the young,’ with around 43 percent (almost half the entire population) currently under the age of 15. Nevertheless, it is reported to have the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, even though primary education is officially free and compulsory.

    This constitutes a serious problem. Many people feel that the main purpose of education is to earn a living. However, some educated people are unemployed or do not earn enough money to meet basic needs. This may cause some parents to think that it is not beneficial to send a child to school. But it is good to note that schooling does more than prepare someone to make money. Education equips an individual for life in general.

    However, even for children who attend school, there still exist some challenges that can hinder the child from receiving proper education. These challenges include: overcrowded classrooms, which make learning difficult; the absence of suitable learning facilities due to poor funding; a poorly remunerated and therefore unhappy teaching staff; and so on.

    To deal successfully with these challenges, other sectors of the society particularly the private sector, media, and community can support the efforts of the government by providing aids and grants to educational institutions, building new classroom blocks in public schools, donating educational infrastructure such as school furniture, textbooks, libraries, etc. Some private organizations and individuals could even identify some less-privileged out-of-school children, verify them, and sponsor their education.

    A good education is one of the greatest assets that we can ever invest in for our future. So, let us all join hands together to ensure a good education for all!

    •Daniel Ighakpe,

    FESTAC Town, Lagos.

  • Institute trains health workers on AI application in cancer treatment

    Institute trains health workers on AI application in cancer treatment

    The National Institute for Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has trained health workers in Nigeria’s Southwest geopolitical zone on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cancer treatment.

    The three-day capacity-building workshop, held at the Radiation Oncology Department of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is part of a broader nationwide programme spanning the country’s six geopolitical zones.

    Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Aliyu, said the initiative underscores the institute’s commitment to deploying innovation and technology to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria.

    Aliyu, who was represented by the Acting Head of the Nuclear Medicine Unit, Radiation Oncology Department at UCH, Dr. Jimoh Alani, described the workshop as a strategic intervention aimed at improving cancer outcomes and building a highly skilled oncology workforce capable of leveraging emerging technologies.

    He said, “Today, we begin a mission to improve cancer care in Nigeria. NICRAT is proud to lead this effort by using innovation and technology to improve outcomes for cancer patients across the country.”

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    He noted that NICRAT has continued to play a leading role in cancer prevention, control, research and treatment, adding that the capacity-building programme reflected the institute’s resolve to integrate modern tools such as AI into routine oncology practice.

    According to him, AI is revolutionising healthcare globally, with significant implications for oncology. 

    He said AI enhances early cancer detection, improves diagnostic accuracy, supports personalised treatment planning and deepens understanding of cancer biology.

    “AI also enables us to identify high-risk populations and develop targeted strategies. Its role in cancer care is crucial, and Nigeria must not be left behind.”

    He explained that the workshop was designed to equiped healthcare professionals with practical knowledge and skills required to apply AI in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. 

    Participants drawn from various oncology-related disciplines are undergoing intensive training sessions, expert-led discussions and knowledge-sharing engagements throughout the three-day programme.

    Aliyu expressed confidence that the training would have a ripple effect across the health sector, as participants return to their institutions better equipped to deliver quality cancer care.

    “The benefits of this programme are enormous. It will improve diagnostic precision, enhance treatment planning, strengthen collaboration among clinicians, researchers and policymakers, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.”

    He commended Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other partners for their support, describing their commitment to the Renewed Hope Health Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as instrumental to the success of the initiative.

    While drawing attention to the rising burden of cancer in Nigeria, Aliyu stressed the urgency of adopting innovative solutions to address the growing challenge.

    “Cancer remains a leading cause of illness and death in our country. With Artificial Intelligence, we can turn the tide by improving survival rates, reducing suffering and enhancing the quality of life of cancer patients.”

    Aliyu however reaffirmed NICRAT’s commitment towards continuous innovation, collaboration and capacity development in cancer care.

    He urged stakeholders across government, academia and the health sector to support the integration of AI-driven solutions.

    “Together, we can bring hope to those affected by cancer and build a healthier future for Nigeria.”

    The workshop set to feature in-depth sessions on the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in oncology and the future of cancer care, AI applications in diagnostic oncology, including histopathology through digital microscopy and biopsy interpretation, as well as AI-driven cancer imaging for precise detection of breast, lung and brain tumours.

    Other focus areas include the application of AI in oncology surgery, machine learning and deep learning in cancer management, AI-assisted clinical decision-making in complex gynaecological cancer cases, AI-enhanced radiotherapy, including auto-contouring, dose prediction and workflow optimisation, and the use of AI to optimise chemotherapy through dose adjustment, toxicity prediction and personalised treatment regimens.

  • Nigeria and Africa’s strategic advantage in AI and clean energy

    Nigeria and Africa’s strategic advantage in AI and clean energy

    Sir: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way modern societies operate, from healthcare delivery and engineering innovation to architectural design, military intelligence, creative writing, finance, communication, and countless other sectors. It is rapidly becoming the foundation of global competitiveness and national development.

    However, the true backbone of AI lies in two strategic pillars: data centres and energy. Data centres provide the computational power needed for AI training, storage, and deployment, while stable and affordable energy sustains these massive systems. Without these two elements, AI cannot function at scale. They are the vital lubricants that keep the entire ecosystem running.

    At the heart of these technologies are critical minerals. Without key minerals used to manufacture semi-conductors, microchips, batteries, smartphones, electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and display systems, modern technology simply cannot exist. These minerals, such as copper, cobalt, lithium, rare earth elements (REEs), tantalum, tin, nickel, graphite, gold, and platinum group metals, are indispensable in building everything from semi-conductors’ chips to the batteries that power data centres and renewable energy systems.

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    Africa is one of the richest sources of these minerals globally, and Nigeria hosts many of them in commercially viable quantities. As the world races toward AI-driven economies, electric mobility, and renewable energy transitions, these minerals are becoming more valuable than oil.

    Today, AI, EVs, and advanced batteries are among the world’s hottest and most sought-after technological commodities. But the global supply chain depends entirely on two things:

    1. Data centres and energy, without which AI cannot operate.

    2. Critical minerals, without which data centres, energy systems, and AI hardware cannot be built.

    This is where Nigeria and Africa hold a strategic advantage. The continent possesses what the world desperately needs for the next industrial revolution.

    The challenge and opportunity, now lies with African leadership: to recognize, harness, and strategically leverage these critical minerals to drive economic transformation, negotiate better global partnerships, and position Africa as an indispensable player in the AI and clean-energy future.

    •Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja.

  • FG, start-ups to adopt AI solutions for creative industry to track revenues

    FG, start-ups to adopt AI solutions for creative industry to track revenues

    The federal government and start-ups owners are seeking ways for adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to address challenges in the creative industry, especially the music industry. 

    Nigerian musicians are said to be losing lots of revenue for lack of data to track their musical records being used outside country by major record companies. 

    The government is also losing revenues from the sector for the lost of intellectual properties to foreign companies. 

    The revelations were made at the weekend during the Ai and Music Hackathon 2025 pitch day, hosted by Blue Sapphire Hub in partnership with ACET and Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture at Grand Ibro Hotel, Abuja. 

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    The government expressed its willingness to partner the creative industry for deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the generation of data to capture developments in the industry and ensure safety of intellectual properties and tracking of revenues in the sector. 

    The Founder of Blue Sapphire Hub (BSH), Mrs Maryam Lawan said responses from the government to the issue have been encouraging as they have received support from government institutions. 

    Mrs. Lawan said, “Some of the solutions we see today are designed with the hope of being adopted by the Nigerian government to drive evidence-based policy-making in the music industry.

    While she regretted that the music industry lacks accurate data for revenue generation, Mrs Lawan said “The industry often brings out cumbersome data. And of course, there’s a lot of leakages in the sector.”

    She said, “The contributors of this industry are not really getting the best out of it. And with AI, it would help them to actually be able to get to utilise the data.

    “For the government, it helps them to also understand the policies they need to make in order to ensure that they get tax out of the industry and the right tax at the right amount that would help the ecosystem as well.”

    Mrs Lawan said data generated by the solutions at hackathon will be of great importance to the industry and the nation’s economy.

    She said, “The government have come in, like from the Ministry of Creative Economy, they have supported and endorsed the project., The Agency for National Arts and Culture has endorsed the project. 

  • Payment infrastructure firm sparks conversations on Africa’s digital future

    Payment infrastructure firm sparks conversations on Africa’s digital future

    Kora has hosted the second edition of its flagship event, Sundown Sessions, themed “AI in Africa: Scaling Beyond the Hype.”

    The event attracted over 400 entrepreneurs, creatives, and technology leaders in Lagos to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Africa’s economic and creative future.

    The evening opened with a fireside chat featured Ifeanyi Nwunne, Creative Director, I.N Official Limited, and Yinka Ash, Founder & CEO, Ashcorp Group. Moderated by Dickson Nsofor, CEO, Kora, the conversation explored how AI is reshaping creativity, manufacturing, and consumer engagement in Africa’s fashion industry.

    “AI only threatens people who stop innovating,” said Nwunne. “Across fashion and other industries, AI helps us work faster, visualize ideas better, and bring more precision to what we do. It’s not here to replace creativity but to amplify it.”

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    Ash added that while AI is transforming business operations, it cannot replicate human experience.

    “What separates humans from machines is our creativity and lived experiences,” he said. “AI can automate tasks, but it cannot feel. When we use it as a partner — not a competitor — we position ourselves to compete globally.”

    The first panel of the night, “How Will AI Reshape Business Models in Africa,” featured Somtochukwu Ifezue (Co-founder & CEO, PiggyVest), Onyinye Olisah (CEO, Onus Financial Services), Buchi Okoro (CEO, Quidax), Frank Atat (Industry Practitioner), and Ugodre Obi-Chukwu (Founder & CEO, Nairametrics). The session was moderated by Chigozirim Nwokeoma of Techpoint Africa.

    Panelists that shared insights on how AI is driving growth and efficiency across sectors include Somtochukwu Ifezue noted that PiggyVest uses AI tools to enhance productivity and accelerate learning across teams and Onyinye Olisah, who stressed the continued importance of human input: “AI is powerful, but it can only go as far as we guide it. If you don’t bring creativity or insight to the table, AI will replace you.”

    Also, Buchi Okoro spoke about responsible AI adoption: “In financial services, data protection is everything. That’s why at Quidax, we have a clear internal AI policy to ensure responsible use and safeguard customer data.”

    Frank Atat highlighted AI’s growing role in agriculture — from soil testing to smarter crop management — as a model of practical innovation while Ugodre Obi-Chukwu reflected on its impact on journalism and research: “In the newsroom, AI helps with data analysis and report drafting, but human editors still have to prompt, fact-check, and refine the final output. Originality remains a human art.”

    The night culminated with a keynote by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa, who challenged participants to expand their vision of innovation beyond fintech.

    “There’s so much to build,” said Aboyeji. “We need to go beyond fintech. From digital finance to trade and governance, everything depends on the digital infrastructure that connects us. But too many people still lack access to the internet. Digital infrastructure is the challenge we must solve.”

    The event also featured a showcase of Kora’s product suite, highlighting how the company continues to integrate AI into payments and risk management to help African businesses scale faster and smarter.

    Later in the evening, Kora’s CEO, Dickson Nsofor, reflected on the company’s motivation for curating such conversations. He said: “AI is driving a new phase of Africa’s digital growth,” said Nsofor. “At Kora, we believe progress happens when technology meets community — and Sundown Sessions is our way of creating that bridge.”

    From fashion to finance, agriculture to media, the second edition of Kora Sundown Sessions spotlighted Africa’s readiness to lead the next global wave of innovation — powered by technology, creativity, and collaboration

  • ‘Why journalists must embrace AI’

    ‘Why journalists must embrace AI’

    As technology continues to rapidly change how things are done, journalists have been urged to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) or risk fading into irrelevance in the coming months.

    Senior Manager, Architecture and Engineering at MTN Nigeria, Chukwuebuka Ezewuzie, made the appeal at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, where he delivered a lecture to the MTN MIP-4 cohorts, last week.

    Ezewuzie noted that AI offers a wide range of possibilities to journalists including generating headlines, summarising lengthy articles, crafting interview questions based on existing data and producing multimedia content for diverse platforms within minutes.

    Acknowledging the challenges journalists face such as tight deadlines, multiple content formats and the need for accuracy; the tech expert said AI would reduce these burdens if adequately deployed.

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    “You can upload entire documents and ask the AI to provide a simplified summary tailored to your tone and style,” he explained.

    However, he warned against blind reliance on AI outputs, stressing the need for fact-checking due to potential errors, hallucinations and biases in the technology.

    He also spoke about the visual storytelling power of AI particularly in generating images and videos that match the tone of a story.

    “You can instruct the AI to create visuals that are appropriate and avoid injurious content,” he said.

    While acknowledging ethical concerns such as deep fakes, Ezewuzie pointed out that AI is also being used to detect such manipulated content, with tech giants like Facebook already deploying tools to flag deep fakes and copyright breaches. He concluded by urging journalists to develop AI skills, noting that very soon, proficiency in AI will be a basic professional requirement, just like computer literacy.

  • Deploy AI to solve security challenges, experts tell govt

    Deploy AI to solve security challenges, experts tell govt

    Security experts have urged the federal, state and local governments in the country to deploy Artificial intelligence (AI) like thermal imaging, motion sensors and other recent technologies to tackle security challenges.

    Specifically, they urged the government to ensure such technologies are embedded into security architecture and complemented with big data (5G) in order to share intelligence in real time and complement the efforts of human agents.

    The experts gave the advice at the launch of LEAD Integrated Security Solutions (LISS) in Victoria Island, the weekend.

    LISS is a subsidiary of LEAD Security Group, a private firm operating in the United States of America (USA).

    Addressing the gaps in the country’s security architecture, LISS’ Chief Executive, Ifeanyi Obinali, said the country was yet to effectively combine physical security and technology to prevent threats from criminals.

    He noted that with the software and technology available in the security sector, kidnappers, terrorists and other criminally minded individuals should be tracked and stopped before they unleash havoc on their victims.

    “What we see in Nigeria is a lot more of physical security. What we are trying to do is bring a combination of physical and digital security. Physical security is good, but if you add technology, it becomes better.

    “Artificial Intelligence is the now thing, no longer the next big thing. What that means is that we need to start getting AI involved in what we do.

    “We need to let intelligence systems work for us, so that we can address security issues before they happen, which is our goal. We will be combining physical and digital security to enable us to provide a robust security system for our clients.

    “I feel that our major problem in the country is intelligence gathering. It is important to anticipate things before they happen, which is where intelligence comes in.

    “In the country, we hear about kidnapping and criminal herdsmen sacking communities. Security systems should be able to pick up these things early before they happen and communicate with the community and law enforcement agencies so that everyone is aware and does what is necessary on time to avoid bloodshed.

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    “We cannot continue to have situations where people are being attacked in their sleep. All that needs to stop,” he said.

    Similarly, Managing Director, Thermal Imaging Radar, Mike Petty, noted the need for Nigeria and African nations to deploy integrated security technologies that would identify threats, analyse them and trigger other systems for effective response.

    Using the thermal imaging as an example, he explained that it is a technology that monitors human and environmental heat from about 500 meters, adding that once it picks on an object that shouldn’t be at a particular spot, it will then signal other monitors that can zoom into the object to scan it for dangerous weapons before a drone or human interface is deployed to prevent the threat from becoming a reality.

    “I am happy to partner with LISS in providing the needed and best technology systems to enable it to achieve its goal of becoming the number one security solutions provider in Nigeria, and by extension, the African continent. Together, we will change the security landscape with the right technology,” he said.

    Commanding LISS for entering the Nigerian market, Managing Director, Riley Falcon Security Services, Kenya, Tobias See, said his firm would be happy to partner with Obinali whenever he wants to enter Kenya or the East African Market.

    “Africa has a complex landscape different from the rest of the world, and our solutions to problems must be tailor-made to effectively deal with our challenges. LEAD Integrated Security Solutions has taken the right step in the right direction to bring this cutting-edge solution to Nigeria at this point.

    “As players in the security sector, we need to work together to provide the needed solutions to the challenges confronting our continent. So, I have been in this sector for 40 years, and I am always happy to partner or offer advice to people whose vision aligns with addressing these challenges,” he said.

    Also speaking, a cybersecurity expert, Emmanuel Enamejewa, said a lot of security threats can be eliminated or prevented with the deployment of AI.

    For the country to have home-grown technology to address its issues, he said, there was a need for the right expertise, training and exposure.

    “Of course, aside from having all the things I just mentioned, the commitment has to be there. Apart from the commitment, we also need to have the right effective stakeholders, like the government, coming in to create an enabling environment for security solutions to thrive, like big data (5G), to support integrated security.

    “There are AI technologies that can be deployed, especially in the north, to cover the borders, including porous ones. That way, operatives will be strategically deployed to achieve good results,” he added

  • Banks, others financial institutions to drive AI across markets, say experts

    Banks, others financial institutions to drive AI across markets, say experts

    Banks and other financial institutions (OFIS) will be instrumental in driving the revolution and acceptance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across key sectors of the economy, stakeholders have said.

    Delivering a keynote address at the fourth edition of the stakeholders’ conference organised by the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) in Lagos, Managing Partner, Verraki Africa,  Niyi Yusuf, said that the fourth industrial revolution will be driven by AI, and will trigger significant revolution across key sectors in the economy.

    Yusuf, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG),  explained that AI is not new while explaining the evolution of the technology from the 1950s era till date, transforming all sectors.

    He called for tailored financial services AI algorithms for Africa, instead of relying on methods developed for advanced economies.

    He explained how to effectively use AI with humans in the loop to perfect banking operations.

    He explained the challenges and risks of AI as well as the solutions architecture needed toward retaining customers’ trust to continuously embrace technology.

    He said the banking industry was one of the first sectors to embrace and adopt AI, using it to drive efficiency, comfort, and speed.

    Yusuf explained the use of AI for financial inclusion, fraud prevention, workforce transformation, and efficiency. “The future of AI in banking is not just about automation or efficiency, it’s about trust, earning and maintaining customer confidence in a digital-first world,” he said.

    Other experts advocated trust and integrity building into AI adoption in the banking industry to retain customers and public confidence.

    ACAMB President, Rasheed Bolarinwa, said the 2024 theme: “AI and the Future of Trust: Reimagining Banking and Financial Services in a Digital First Era,” was timely and important.

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    Bolarinwa explained the current realities of technological transformations driven by AI and digital technologies were redefining customers’ expectations in banking and financial services.

    He said: “Our mission at ACAMB has always been to foster excellence in corporate communications and stakeholder engagement across the banking industry.

    “This conference embodies that purpose by convening thought leaders, innovators, regulators, and practitioners to shape the future of our industry responsibly and sustainably.”

    He urged stakeholders at the event to challenge assumptions and collaborate toward building a financial ecosystem where trust is not just maintained but enhanced by technology.

    The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Pius Olarenwaju, explained how technology drove revolutions that introduced speed and efficiency into banking operations.

    Olarenwaju, however, said if trust and integrity were taken out of banking, it would be left with nothing, hence the need to prioritise these virtues to gain public confidence toward embracing AI.

    He said that the post-industrial revolution, the second, third, and the fourth industrial revolutions were all powered by something called general-purpose technology.

    The president, represented by the CIBN Registrar, Akin Morakinyo, urged the public to embrace the changes of AI so as not to be left behind and also to enjoy banking service efficiency.

    He said: “The beauty of AI, which I found out, is that AI is the general-purpose technology that will drive the full industrial revolution. “Therefore, if you do not adopt it, you are doing so at your own peril.”

    Olarenwaju commended the gatekeeping role of ACAMB members, which educates the public and protects the image of banks.

    The panelists, including Dele Adeyinka, Chief Digital Officer, Polaris Bank; Yonodu Okeugo, General Manager, Business Banking and Partnerships, VFD Microfinance Bank; and Dr. Harrison Nnaji, Chief Information Security Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, all spoke on the need for banks to enhance transparency, accountability, ensure customer data privacy, mitigate risks, as well as continued education of the public on the benefits and challenges of AI.

  • Google, other top tech firms to train 3,150 teachers on AI

    Google, other top tech firms to train 3,150 teachers on AI

    A total of 3,150 secondary school teachers across five states are set to receive training in artificial intelligence (AI) under a new educational initiative launched by NerdzFactory Company in partnership with the United Kingdom’s Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind.

    The programme, titled: “Experience AI,” aims to build foundational AI skills for teachers in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti states, reaching more than 157,000 students by 2026.

     Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Founding Partner at NerdzFactory Company, Ade Olowojoba, said the programme would equip teachers to inspire innovation among students and build their confidence to use AI effectively.

    Olowojoba, who was represented by the company’s Business and Operations Lead, Motolani Folabi, explained that the training would be delivered through a blended approach, with approximately 70 per cent conducted online via live sessions and digital resources, while the remaining 30 per cent would involve in-person workshops to provide hands-on experience, especially in areas with limited internet access.

    He noted that the training will run until December 2026 in alignment with Nigeria’s academic calendar, focusing on public schools in rural, low-income, and underserved communities through collaboration with state education ministries.

    “At NerdzFactory, we believe AI education should be accessible to all. Partnering with the Raspberry Pi Foundation supports our mission to open up digital skills to Nigerian youth. Experience AI empowers a generation to innovate and solve real community problems. Today marks more than just the launch of an initiative; it represents a bold step into the future, one where access to cutting-edge knowledge and skills is no longer a privilege for a few but a right for all.

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    “We are deeply honoured to be working alongside two global giants, the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, to bring this transformative programme to life. Together, we are set to train 3,150 secondary school teachers and reach over 157,000 students across Nigeria with foundational AI education. That is not just a number; it is the spark that can light up thousands of lives, classrooms, and communities.

    “At NerdzFactory, we are driven by one core belief: that young people, regardless of their background or location, should be equipped to thrive in the digital age. The Experience AI programme is about more than learning how artificial intelligence works; it is about building the confidence to dream, the tools to create, and the vision to lead,” he said.

    Global Partnerships Manager at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Katherine Leadbetter, said the programme would equip teachers with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to teach AI effectively and inspire students to understand and apply the technology meaningfully.

    “Experience AI is an educational programme offering cutting-edge resources on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Co-developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, it is aligned with UNESCO’s AI competency framework for students and supports educators of all experience levels in an increasingly AI-driven world to inform and inspire the next generation.

  • Expert urges govts to invest in AI education to unbolt youth potential

    Expert urges govts to invest in AI education to unbolt youth potential

    Artificial Intelligence (AI), once the stuff of science fiction, is now reshaping the world at a breathtaking pace—from detecting diseases earlier to powering search engines, chatbots and navigation apps.

    As the global economy becomes increasingly digitised, an expert in computer science education, Dr. Ismaila Temitayo Sanusi, has urged Nigerian governments to act swiftly to prepare youth for a future dominated by AI technologies.

    Sanusi, an authority in Computer Science Education with international experience, sounded the alarm: Nigeria is not doing enough to equip its young population with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in an AI-driven world.

    “We’re talking about a technology that is already changing every aspect of human existence—healthcare, finance, education, entertainment. Yet, our classrooms remain largely stuck in the 20th century,” Dr. Sanusi said.

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    Dr. Sanusi described AI literacy as “the new reading and math”—a foundational skill that every student must possess to thrive in the emerging global economy. Unlike coding, which focuses solely on programming, AI education encompasses understanding how machines learn, make decisions, and affect human lives—from the playlists we stream to the news we see on our feeds. “It’s not about building robots,” he explained. “It’s about helping students understand how algorithms make decisions that impact their lives and society. AI is shaping how we think, communicate, work, and make choices.”

    Through years of research and programme development across countries, including the U.S., Finland, Ghana, Kenya, Hong Kong, Namibia, and Nigeria, Sanusi has seen firsthand the transformational power of early AI education.

    His studies show that AI learning promotes critical thinking, digital skills, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving—all crucial traits for 21st-century success. “If we want our children to be job creators, not job seekers, then we must teach them not just how to use technology, but how to understand and shape it,” he said.

    Home to the largest youth population in Africa, Nigeria has what Dr. Sanusi calls “an enviable advantage”—a youthful demographic that, if properly skilled, could become a major engine for innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.

    Yet, the reality on ground paints a different picture. Most Nigerian schools have not integrated AI into their curriculum. Even with recent efforts by the Federal Government—such as the draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the launch of a Centre for AI and Robotics, and the rollout of a free AI Academy—AI education remains largely inaccessible to millions of students, especially in underserved rural areas.