The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Professor Umaru Pate, has urged tertiary institutions in the country to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to tackle unemployment and address poverty in the country.
Speaking at the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th combined Convocation Ceremony of the university, Pate explained that as AI is causing some jobs to disappear and creating new opportunities at the same time, it is only those with relevant skills that would benefit from AI-driven employment.
The vice chancellor stated that for Nigerian youths to remain relevant, universities must adopt modern approaches to education focused on current knowledge and technological innovation, saying that stakeholders must stop preparing students for obsolete jobs, as AI is reshaping the employment landscape at an unprecedented pace.
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Prof. Pate called on universities to shift from traditional teaching methods and prioritise AI-driven training to meet evolving global demands.
He stated that the FUK is avoiding training students for jobs that will soon become obsolete due to automation and AI.
"Latest reports suggest that in the next five years, over 92 million jobs will disappear while 120 million new ones will emerge courtesy of the internet of things, robotics, big data and evolution of Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, we need new mindsets, new skills and adjusted cognitive capabilities to be relevant or risk being thrown into an abyss of obscurity.
"The existential threat facing us in Nigeria is to accept the fact that oil is no longer the global resource power but knowledge and innovation. Thus, the implication of that is for our universities to respond and lead the change.
"However, we should be reminded that innovation does not emerge in a vacuum but in functional research centres with equipped laboratories; through critical thinking and supportive market environments," Pate said.
The vice chancellor called for greater investment in youth education, describing young people as the true engine of Nigeria's future. He added that investing in their education could help address poverty, crime, conflict, corruption, climate change and other developmental challenges.
The VC urged the graduating students to focus on personal development, stating that digital skills and critical thinking were essential for success in today's world.
He also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for delivering the pre-convocation lecture titled "Medical Science: Past, Present and Future," and expressed confidence that the profound lessons from the lecture will shape the philosophy and curriculum of the university's new medical college.
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Pate also commended the federal government for approving key development projects in the institution, including a N4 billion allocation for the Senate Building, N1.3bn for the construction of university's perimeter fence, students' hostel, and equipping laboratories in Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
Daily Trust reports that 6,870 students graduated across various disciplines, among them, 91 earned First Class Honours, 1,899 graduated with Second Class Upper, and 3,917 with Second Class Lower, while 960 students obtained Third Class degrees and 3 students graduated with a Pass degree.
Our correspondent reports that the first graduating set of the university's School of Postgraduate Studies were among those graduating, with 16 candidates receiving PhDs, 492 Master's degrees (M.A., M.Ed., M.Sc., MBA, MAF), and 76 Postgraduate Diplomas across multiple disciplines.
The university also conferred Honorary Doctorate Degrees on the Chancellor of the University and the traditional ruler of Ezema Olo in Enugu State, Ambassador Lawrence Okolio Chikezie Agubuzu; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Bichi; and Africa Director of MacArthur Foundation, Dr Kole Shettima.
