LAGOS — Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called for urgent investment in artificial intelligence systems designed to teach Nigerian children in indigenous languages, saying the country must move beyond importing AI to “build African intelligence into artificial intelligence.” Speaking on Thursday at the 13th Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture at the University of Lagos, Akoka, he challenged universities to make AI literacy compulsory for every undergraduate, stressing that AI skills are now essential for the future workforce, not just for tech students.
Hamzat said AI presents Nigeria an opportunity to tackle longstanding education challenges such as teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and poor data. He envisioned AI assistants that can explain mathematics in Yoruba, science in Hausa, literacy in Igbo and lessons in Pidgin, noting that such tools must understand Nigerian languages, cultures and realities. While emphasizing that AI should support rather than replace teachers through lesson planning, assessment analysis and differentiated instruction, he proposed a seven-point AI-in-education agenda covering teachers, students, curriculum, infrastructure, data, assessment and research. He also urged telecoms, banks and tech firms to make educational platforms affordable and expand computing support to universities.
Speakers at the event honoured the legacy of the late Prof. Sofoluwe as a computing pioneer. UNILAG, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olumuyiwa Falaye, highlighted its Edu-AI Hub and AI literacy programmes that have reached over 14,000 participants, and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing AI creators and problem-solvers. Yaba LCDA Chairman Hon. Bayo Adefuye called for collaboration across government, academia and the private sector to prevent a widening digital divide, while UNILAG Alumni Association Chairman Comr. Owoeye Adedeji described Sofoluwe as a visionary whose drive for infrastructural growth still inspires the university community.
