With a population of over 190 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. In recent years, AI technologies have been introduced into the Nigerian education system to address some of the challenges faced by the sector.
Technology has the power to make learning more engaging. There’s the booming ed-tech industry, with corporate titans and small startups alike vying for a slice of an $8 billion-plus yearly market for hardware and software. Much attention is also paid to the “early adopters”—those districts, schools, and teachers who are making the most ingenious and effective uses of the new tools at their disposal (EducationWeek, 2016). Technology has made African students more globalised, whereby students can meet their counterparts through video conferencing without travelling to a particular destination. For instance, African students can learn foreign languages online by getting a teacher to teach them this language from another country. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a rapidly emerging technology that is transforming various industries, and education is no exception. In Nigeria, as in many other countries, AI tools are increasingly being integrated into educational systems to enhance learning outcomes and improve the overall quality of education.
Although, Artificial Intelligence refers to the ability of machines or computer systems to mimic human intelligence and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In the field of education, AI is being used to develop innovative tools and technologies that have the potential to transform the traditional methods of teaching and learning.
Today, AI has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education today, innovate teaching and learning practices, and accelerate progress towards SDG 4. With the ability to analyse data on student performance and preferences, AI can help educators to create customized lesson plans and assessments that align with each student’s unique strengths and weaknesses. This can improve student engagement and motivation, and ultimately lead to better academic outcomes. A detailed research report titled, “AI in Education Market: By Application, By Deployment Type, By Region till 2030” by Market Research Future (MRFR), a global market research company, indicated that the market was valued USD 2.5 billion in 2022 and is predicted to thrive substantially during the assessment era from 2023 to 2030 at a healthy CAGR of approximately 38.00% to attain a valuation of around USD 23.82 billion by the end of 2030.
The results of UNESCO’s survey on the needs of AI in Africa were released in April 2021, and it was discovered that the continent needs to improve its talent capacity, legal and regulatory frameworks, and governance policies for AI. The UN agency proposes that more effort be made to “AI priorities should be ‘harmonised’ at a ‘continental level’ and recommends that greater effort should be put towards ‘advancing AI education, research and training’.” Meanwhile, there are already initiatives afoot to bridge some of these gaps. For instance, South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand, in September 2021, took the lead in establishing the AI Africa Consortium – a partnership between academia and industry to build AI research and application capacity on the continent. This addresses a much-repeated refrain about limited synergy between the private and public sectors on the one hand, and academic and industry on the other.
Education in Nigeria: A Swift Overview
Nigeria, with a population of over 190 million people, is the most populous country in Africa. Education is considered a fundamental right for every Nigerian child, and the government has made efforts to improve access to education across the country. However, Nigeria still faces numerous challenges in its education system, including inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, low teacher-to-student ratio, and low-quality education outcomes.
In recent years, AI tools have been introduced into the Nigerian education system to address some of the challenges faced by the sector. These tools are being used in various ways, including personalized learning, data analysis, virtual classrooms, and assessments.
• Personalized Learning
AI-powered educational platforms use algorithms to analyze data on students’ learning styles, preferences, and performance to create customized learning paths. These platforms provide students with personalized content and recommendations, allowing them to learn at their own pace and according to their individual needs. This approach can help to improve learning outcomes by tailoring education to the specific needs of each student.
• Data Analysis
AI tools are used to analyze large volumes of data generated by students, teachers, and educational institutions. This data can be used to identify patterns, trends, and insights that can inform decision-making in education. For example, AI can analyze data on student performance to identify areas where additional support may be needed or analyze data on teaching methods to identify effective instructional strategies.
• Virtual Classrooms
AI-powered virtual classrooms are being used to provide remote learning opportunities to students, especially in underserved areas with limited access to physical classrooms. Virtual classrooms use AI technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning to facilitate interactive and engaging online learning experiences. Students can interact with virtual tutors, engage in discussions, and access learning materials in a virtual environment.
• Assessments
AI tools are being used for automated assessments, where machine learning algorithms analyze and evaluate student responses to assignments, quizzes, and exams. This allows for quick and efficient grading, and provides timely feedback to students, helping them to improve their learning outcomes. Automated assessments can also help to reduce bias in grading, ensuring fair and consistent evaluations.
AI Tools in Nigerian Education
Unfortunately, automated technology is rapidly leaving Nigeria behind with constant advancement. With plans to create tech-savvy Nigerian youths who in the nearest future would communicate less with humans and more with computers, automated technology is essential to their curriculum according to Rise Networks, a Data Science, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Powered Learning, Research and Work Readiness Company in Lagos, Nigeria. “Africa must deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve access to education by providing remote and low-cost learning options and personalised learning;… reduce waste and increase efficiency in resource use,” said Awolowo Dosumu, a former Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands, who was represented by Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Edward Dickson, during his keynote address at the International Symposium on Digital Transformation and Public Service Delivery (Tribune, 2023).
The adoption of AI tools in Nigerian education has the potential to bring about several benefits, including:
• Enhanced Learning Outcomes
AI-powered educational platforms can provide personalized learning experiences, tailored to the individual needs of students. This can lead to improved learning outcomes, as students are able to learn at their own pace and according to their learning style, which can result in better retention and understanding of the content.
• Increased Access to Education
Virtual classrooms powered by AI can provide access to quality education for students in remote or underserved areas, where physical classrooms may be limited or nonexistent. This can help bridge the gap in educational opportunities between urban and rural areas, and provide access to education for marginalized populations, ultimately increasing overall literacy rates and educational attainment in Nigeria.
• Improved Teaching Practices
AI tools can assist teachers in creating more effective instructional strategies by analyzing data on student performance, identifying areas where additional support may be needed, and suggesting relevant teaching materials. This can help teachers tailor their teaching methods to the specific needs of their students, resulting in improved teaching practices and better student outcomes.
• Time and Cost Savings
Automated assessments using AI can save time and resources in the grading process, allowing teachers to provide timely feedback to students and focus on other important aspects of teaching. Virtual classrooms powered by AI can also save costs associated with building physical infrastructure, and can reach a wider audience of students, potentially reducing the cost of education for many.
• Enhanced Creativity and Critical Thinking
AI-powered educational tools can foster creativity and critical thinking skills in students by providing opportunities for problem-solving, analysis, and decision-making. Virtual simulations and interactive learning experiences can engage students in hands-on learning, allowing them to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills, which are essential for the workforce of the future.
Issues with AI Technologies in Nigerian Education
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot created by OpenAI that became live in November 2022. It generates text/answers on any subject in response to a prompt or query. ChatGPT is fine-tuned from a model in the GPT-3.5 series. ChatGPT and GPT-3.5 were trained on an Azure AI supercomputing infrastructure.
The CEO of OpenAI and developer of ChatGPT, Sam Altman, recently acknowledged that the AI chatbot might “eliminate” many jobs. In an interview with ABC News, he added that “people should be happy” that the company was “a little bit scared” of the potential of AI.
However, the new AI has already been banned across all devices in some public schools in Europe and America due to concerns over its “negative impact on student learning” and potential for plagiarism. Also, according to local press, some students in Nigeria are already sampling the tool and using it to answer questions that would have required them to think (The Punch, 2023).
Education and Seattle Public School system banned students and teachers from using ChatGPT to prevent plagiarism and cheating (also mentioned above). However, some reports suggest that Chat GPT-derived text scores as low as 5% for plagiarism when tested. For some tools, under 20% is an ‘acceptable’ score.
While the adoption of AI tools in Nigerian education has significant potential benefits, there are also challenges that need to be addressed, which also includes:
• Access and Equity
One of the major challenges in adopting AI tools in Nigerian education is ensuring equitable access to these tools, particularly for students in rural and underserved areas with limited internet connectivity and technological infrastructure. There is a risk that the benefits of AI tools may only be accessible to students in urban areas or those with more resources, exacerbating existing disparities in education.
• Training and Capacity Building
The effective use of AI tools in education requires skilled educators who are proficient in using these technologies. However, there may be a lack of adequate training and capacity building opportunities for educators in Nigeria to effectively integrate AI tools into their teaching practices. This can hinder the full realization of the potential benefits of AI in education.
• Data Privacy and Security
AI tools in education often rely on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, including student performance data and personal information. Ensuring the privacy and security of this data is crucial to protect the rights and interests of students and educators. There may be concerns about the misuse or unauthorized access to student data, and appropriate measures need to be in place to safeguard data privacy and security.
• Ethical Considerations
AI raises ethical concerns in education, such as bias in algorithms, fairness, transparency, and accountability. There is a need to ensure that AI tools are designed and implemented in an ethical manner, taking into consideration issues of bias, discrimination, and social impact. Ethical guidelines and frameworks should be in place to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI in education.
The Future of AI in Nigerian Education
Evidently, the integration of AI tools in Nigerian education has the potential to revolutionize the education landscape by providing innovative solutions to existing challenges and improving the quality and accessibility of education. However, there are several key considerations that need to be addressed for effective implementation and responsible use of AI in education in Nigeria.
The first African company to use AI algorithms to address all of your school demands was a Nigerian startup named Edves in 2020. Edves provides a simplified platform for parents to maintain a real-time daily/weekly conversation with the school on the conducts and academic progress of their wards.
Dimeji Falana, co-founder and CEO of Edves, stated during the 2022 Edves Catalyst event that “the company’s portal allows school owners to know school fee defaulters and set reminders among other things.”
Explaining how it works, Dimeji said, “there are schools that can actually manage maybe 100 students with pen and paper. By the time it gets to several 100 students the technology will be there to help to manage finance, to manage attendance, homework, lesson notes, and everything. And we are doing this with a vision of reimagining the education system generally and making learning simple.” At the moment, 1500 schools in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Zambia use the Edves school management solution.
In Lagos, the AI-driven Educational Statistics (EduStat) was introduced by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Africa’s foremost examining body, in March 2023. EduStat, a data analysis software adapted to support the implementation of evaluations projects, surveys or research in education. Almost 50 million candidates who have taken tests throughout the years are currently in the database of the new platform.
“Institutions, such as universities and colleges, could also benefit from the platform by accessing data on enrollment and academic performance of their students,” said Patrick Areghan, Head of Nigeria’s WAEC Office, during the platform’s launch. Adding that, the information could be used to identify areas where additional resources were needed to support students and improve overall performance.
Likewise, a Lagos-based startup, Class54, in 2022 launched a technology that leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), to drive success rates for students preparing to write Nigeria university entry examination, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. “We have built an amazing technology based on artificial intelligence which helps students improve their grades in a record time as they prepare for major examinations in Nigeria,” the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Oluwasegun Ige, told local newsmagazine, Thisday.
He added: “Our technology tracks their progress and recommends the next-best action to take to get the best grades in their examinations. This has enabled us to raise the average pass rate for candidates who used the Class54 App in the 2022 JAMB examination to 73.54%, up from the 21% national average just in our first year alone.” Definitely, AI will have an impact on Nigeria’s educational system.
Founded in 2019 by Boye Oshinaga, Femi Ibiwoye, Seyi Adelaju and Babatunde Caleb, Gradely uses artificial intelligence (AI) using analytics and data-driven recommendations to help schools and parents intervene in real-time to children’s learning gaps through weekly adaptive homework tests.
“Gradely has been highlighted during the pandemic. People now come to find us and there’s been a huge spike in demand, but it’s also put us in a place where we need to show and prove the power of technology,” Boye Oshinaga, founder and chief executive of Gradely told BBC.
Also, by leveraging AI and domain expertise, Slatecube powered software solutions for learning and workforce development. Their software products include an accelerate early career up skilling and jobs platform for students and job seekers, workforce create early career recruiting programs, learntools for creating and delivering masterclasses online, and goal8 for governments and organizations solving unemployment.
The startup, Slatecube, which Chris Kwekowe started in Nigeria with his brother Emerald Kwekowe in 2014 at the age of 21, he says, is attempting to tackle youth unemployment on the continent through tech.
The 2015 Anzisha Prize winner, Chris says “while there are millions of job openings each year in Africa’s two largest markets, South Africa and Nigeria, many of these openings remain unfilled because many graduates lack the skills companies are looking for — in what he calls, a skills mismatch.”
Meanwhile, to fully leverage the potential of AI tools in Nigerian education, several recommendations can be considered:
• Bridging the Digital Divide
One of the primary challenges of integrating AI tools in Nigerian education is the digital divide, which refers to the gap in access to digital technologies between different regions, populations, and socioeconomic groups. In Nigeria, there are significant disparities in internet access, computer literacy, and technology infrastructure across different regions and communities. This disparity can hinder the effective use of AI tools in education, as not all students and teachers may have equal access to the necessary technology and resources.
To bridge the digital divide, it is important to ensure that all students and teachers have access to reliable internet connectivity and appropriate technological devices, such as computers or tablets. This may require infrastructure development, investment in technology resources, and targeted initiatives to reach remote and underserved areas. Additionally, efforts should be made to provide digital literacy training to students and teachers, so that they can effectively use AI tools for learning and teaching.
• Teacher Training and Professional Development
The effective integration of AI tools in education requires teachers to be adequately trained and skilled in using these technologies. However, many teachers in Nigeria may not have the necessary training and professional development opportunities to effectively use AI tools in their teaching practices. Lack of familiarity with AI technologies, resistance to change, and fear of job displacement may pose challenges to the successful implementation of AI in education.
To address this challenge, it is important to provide comprehensive and ongoing training for teachers to build their capacity in using AI tools for instruction, assessment, and data analysis. Professional development programs should focus on enhancing teachers’ technological literacy, pedagogical strategies for integrating AI in the curriculum, and critical evaluation of AI-generated content. Additionally, efforts should be made to create a positive mindset towards AI among teachers, highlighting the benefits and opportunities it can bring to education.
• Data Privacy and Security
The use of AI tools in education involves the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, such as student performance data, learning preferences, and behavior patterns. Data privacy and security are critical considerations to ensure that student data is protected and used responsibly. In Nigeria, there are currently limited regulations and guidelines for data protection, which can pose risks to the privacy and security of student data.
To address this concern, it is essential to establish robust data privacy and security measures in the use of AI tools in education. This includes obtaining informed consent from students and their guardians for data collection and usage, implementing robust data encryption and storage practices, and regularly auditing and monitoring data handling processes. Additionally, there should be clear policies and regulations governing the collection, storage, and usage of student data, with strict penalties for any breaches.
• Ethical Considerations
Ethical concerns related to AI in education need to be carefully addressed to ensure responsible and ethical use of these technologies. AI algorithms used in educational settings can be biased, discriminatory, and perpetuate existing inequalities if not carefully designed and implemented. There is also the concern of the ethical implications of using AI for tasks traditionally performed by teachers, such as assessment and feedback, which may affect the quality of education and the role of teachers in the classroom.
To address ethical concerns, it is important to develop and implement ethical guidelines and frameworks for the use of AI in education. These guidelines should address issues such as bias in algorithms, fairness, transparency, and accountability. Regular ethical reviews of AI tools in education should be conducted to identify and address potential ethical concerns. Additionally, efforts should be made to involve diverse stakeholders, including educators, students, policymakers, and technology developers, in the ethical decision-making processes related to AI in education to ensure a holistic approach and diverse perspectives are considered.
• Curriculum and Pedagogical Adaptation
The integration of AI tools in education requires a careful consideration of the curriculum and pedagogical approaches. Traditional curricula may not align with the new capabilities and opportunities offered by AI technologies. Therefore, there is a need to adapt the curriculum to incorporate AI-related concepts and skills, such as data science, machine learning, and ethics in AI. This can enable students to develop a deeper understanding of AI and its applications in various fields, preparing them for the future workforce.
Pedagogical approaches also need to be adapted to effectively integrate AI tools in the teaching and learning process. Teachers can leverage AI tools to personalize learning experiences, provide real-time feedback, and offer customized support to students. Additionally, teachers can incorporate AI tools in assessment and evaluation processes to measure student performance and provide timely feedback. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between AI-driven instruction and human-centered teaching to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that nurtures their critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity
Another potential benefit of integrating AI tools in Nigerian education is the potential to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in education. AI technologies can offer personalized and adaptive learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of students, including those with disabilities or special educational needs. For example, AI-powered tools can provide text-to-speech or speech-to-text capabilities, visual aids, and other assistive technologies that can support students with visual or hearing impairments, dyslexia, or other learning challenges.
However, it is important to ensure that the AI tools used in education are designed and tested for accessibility and inclusivity, taking into consideration the diverse needs and backgrounds of Nigerian students. Efforts should also be made to ensure that the use of AI in education does not exacerbate existing inequalities, such as the digital divide or disparities in education quality between urban and rural areas. Strategies should be put in place to provide equitable access to AI tools and ensure that all students, regardless of their background or location, can benefit from the opportunities offered by AI in education.
• Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The integration of AI tools in Nigerian education has the potential to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students. AI technologies offer opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills that are highly valued in the 21st-century workforce. Students can also learn to analyze data, develop algorithms, and apply machine learning techniques to solve real-world problems, which can prepare them for careers in fields such as data science, AI development, and entrepreneurship.
To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, it is important to provide students with access to AI tools, training, and mentorship programs that encourage them to think creatively and develop entrepreneurial mindsets. Institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders should collaborate to create an ecosystem that nurtures student innovation and supports them in turning their ideas into viable solutions. This can include initiatives such as hackathons, competitions, and incubation programs that provide students with opportunities to apply AI in solving real-world problems and developing their entrepreneurial skills.
• Addressing Job Displacement Concerns
There is a widespread concern that the integration of AI tools in education may lead to job displacement for teachers and other educational professionals. As AI technologies automate tasks such as grading, assessment, and content creation, some fear that the role of teachers may be diminished, leading to potential job losses in the education sector.
To address this concern, it is important to recognize that while AI can automate certain tasks, it cannot fully replace the critical role of teachers in education. Teachers play a pivotal role in fostering human connections, providing guidance, and nurturing social-emotional skills in students, which are essential for their holistic development. AI tools can complement the work of teachers by providing support in routine tasks and administrative duties, allowing teachers to focus on higher-order skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Moreover, the integration of AI in education has the potential to create new job opportunities. As AI technologies continue to evolve, there will be a growing demand for professionals with expertise in AI, data science, and machine learning. This can lead to the emergence of new job roles in the field of educational technology, AI development, curriculum design, and data analysis, among others. Therefore, there is a need to invest in training and upskilling programs for teachers and other educational professionals to adapt to the changing landscape of AI in education and seize the new opportunities it presents.
Way to Go
The integration of AI tools in Nigerian education has the potential to revolutionize the education landscape and transform the way teaching and learning are conducted. From personalized learning experiences and adaptive assessments to improved administrative processes and enhanced accessibility, AI has the potential to offer numerous benefits to Nigerian students, teachers, and educational institutions. However, it is crucial to carefully consider the ethical, social, and economic implications of AI in education to ensure that it is implemented in a responsible and inclusive manner.
Efforts should be made to provide equitable access to AI tools, ensure that the curriculum and pedagogical approaches are adapted to incorporate AI-related concepts and skills, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students. Additionally, it is important to address concerns related to job displacement and invest in training and upskilling programs for teachers and educational professionals.
In conclusion, the integration of AI tools in Nigerian education has the potential to accelerate the development of a skilled and innovative workforce, enhance the quality of education, and prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. With careful planning, collaboration among stakeholders, and a student-centric approach, AI in education can bring about positive
Cover Image: Girls in class with teacher Tukur Yusuf, Miga Central Primary School (a secular/’western’ school). Miga, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Credit: GPE/Kelley Lynch | Flickr
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