Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, has urged students, lecturers and researchers to use artificial intelligence responsibly by adopting a simple rule: Check, Cite and Critique.
The advice was delivered by Professor Olawale Awe during an AI-powered research and learning workshop organised by the university’s Centre for Data Science and Certification Courses (CDSCC) in partnership with ADA Global Academy, an affiliate of LISA, USA. According to OAUSTECH’s official report, the workshop took place at the university’s main campus in Okitipupa on August 4, 2026, although the report was published on August 28.
Awe, a professor of statistics and data science, was speaking on the theme, “Foundations of Artificial Intelligence: Understanding AI and Its Academic Ecosystem.” His central message was straightforward: AI can be useful in academic work, but students and researchers should not surrender their judgement to a machine.
For many Nigerian students now using generative AI for assignments, research, literature reviews and academic writing, that distinction is becoming increasingly important. AI can produce a polished answer within seconds, but a polished answer is not automatically an accurate one.
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The 3 Cs: Check, Cite and Critique
Awe’s approach gives students a practical framework for handling AI-generated material.
The first is Check. Students are expected to verify information generated by AI before using it in assignments, projects or research. This is particularly important because AI systems can produce incorrect facts, misunderstand questions and present false information with considerable confidence.
The second is Cite. Where AI tools are used in academic work, users should be transparent about their sources and the role the technology played. This reinforces academic honesty and makes it easier for readers, lecturers and fellow researchers to understand how information was obtained.
The third is Critique. Rather than accepting AI responses at face value, students should bring their own reasoning, evidence and judgement to the material.
Awe also noted that AI has practical benefits for research. It can assist with generating research topics, reviewing literature, supporting research design, handling data, analysing information, creating visualisations and improving efficiency.
However, he warned that AI can also hallucinate information, reproduce bias, misunderstand prompts and generate inaccurate citations. Aalto University similarly warns researchers that generative AI can create fabricated information and incorrect references, making independent verification necessary.
Back story: AI is changing academic work in Nigeria
The debate around artificial intelligence in education has moved quickly since generative AI tools became widely accessible. What once required hours of searching, drafting and editing can now be attempted through a short prompt on a smartphone or computer.
That convenience has created opportunities for students and academics, but it has also raised concerns about originality, academic integrity, misinformation and the development of critical thinking skills.
UNESCO’s Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research, first published in 2023 and updated in January 2026, calls for a human-centred approach to AI in education. It stresses that institutions should ensure AI use protects human agency and genuinely supports learners, teachers and researchers.
The issue is therefore not simply whether Nigerian universities should allow students to use AI. The bigger question is whether students know how to use it without allowing the technology to replace the intellectual work that education is supposed to develop.
That is where OAUSTECH’s message becomes particularly relevant.
OAUSTECH says AI should support, not replace human thinking
The university’s leadership reinforced the argument during the workshop. Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Temi Ologunorisa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research, Professor Foluso Adetuyi, warned participants against accepting AI-generated information without proper checks.
The university’s Centre for Data Science and Certification Courses also said the workshop was designed to move participants beyond discussions about AI and towards practical applications in research, teaching, learning, academic writing and data analysis. OAUSTECH’s account of the workshop said the organisers wanted participants to understand both the opportunities and limitations of the technology.
For Nigerian students and researchers, the lesson is perhaps best understood as a change in workflow rather than a rejection of AI. Use the tool to save time, explore ideas or process information, but pause before trusting the result.
In an academic environment where access to powerful AI tools is becoming normal, knowing how to question an answer may become just as important as knowing how to generate one.
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