A UK-based Nigerian business development strategist and digital project manager, Precious Onyenweaku, has urged Nigerian universities to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of academic development.
Speaking during a webinar at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba state, Onyenweaku, highlighted AI’s transformative potential for the Nigerian educational system.
In his presentation, titled “Artificial Intelligence: Implications for University Academic Utilization,” Onyenweaku sparked excitement among students and faculty of the Department of Physiotherapy.
Drawing from his extensive experience in the UK and his deep understanding of Nigeria’s educational landscape as co-founder of Forward Agro Institute and facilitator of the National Youth Service Corps’ Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, he advocated for the deliberate integration of AI tools in Nigerian academia.
Onyenweaku emphasised how AI can revolutionize learning by personalizing educational experiences, enhancing research capabilities, and bridging language gaps in Nigeria’s diverse academic environment.
“Imagine AI assistants that provide personalized feedback, translate languages and transcribe lectures,” he said, urging students to immerse themselves in AI-enhanced learning.
He particularly recommended AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Grammarly, and Elicit, demonstrating how these technologies can empower students in research, writing, and overall academic performance.
Onyenweaku explained that AI can act as a tireless research assistant, quickly sifting through vast amounts of data, identifying relevant sources, and summarising key findings.
For writing, he noted that AI-powered tools help students refine their work by offering suggestions on grammar, style, and clarity, ensuring polished and impactful results.
Regarding language enhancement, AI can translate between languages, convert Nigerian Pidgin into Standard English, and improve grammar, making academic writing more accessible.
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Onyenweaku also highlighted AI’s role in improving accessibility, such as recording and transcribing lectures, generating summaries, and serving as a note-taking assistant during meetings.
This, he said, could especially benefit students with disabilities. AI can further aid students in exam preparation by helping them develop organizational skills, create study plans, track progress, and generate practice quizzes.
He shared examples of how AI is being successfully implemented in education in developed countries and stressed that socioeconomic challenges should not hinder Nigeria’s adoption of such technologies.
AI, he emphasized, could serve as a powerful tool for educational equity, providing students with the resources they need to succeed, irrespective of their background.
While Onyenweaku championed the benefits of AI, he also underscored the need for responsible adoption.
He stressed that AI should complement, not replace, human creativity and critical thinking.
“AI should amplify our potential, not diminish the importance of critical thinking and ethical decision-making,” he cautioned, urging students to use AI ethically, especially in avoiding plagiarism.
Onyenweaku’s presentation left a lasting impression on the students, many of whom expressed enthusiasm for the possibilities of AI in personalizing their learning experiences and enhancing their academic and professional futures.
He encouraged them to embrace AI as a tool to unlock their full potential while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity.
His message served as a powerful call to action for Nigerian universities to embrace AI in education while ensuring a balanced, ethical approach to its use.