Nigeria’s education system must adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing digital economy, with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy introduced as compulsory subjects in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, has said.
Aibinu made the call at the launch and fundraising ceremony of the Icitify Digital Skills Empowerment Foundation (IDSEF), held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. The event brought together academics, political leaders, technology professionals, students and development partners to discuss ways of preparing young Nigerians for emerging opportunities.
According to a report by The Guardian Nigeria, the university administrator argued that introducing digital education early would help young people develop confidence, creativity and problem-solving abilities needed to compete in the modern workplace.
He noted that technologies such as AI, data analytics and cybersecurity were already changing how businesses operate and how people work, making digital competence increasingly important for young Nigerians.
Aibinu also encouraged students to explore available learning opportunities, seek mentorship and use technology creatively while understanding its limitations.
He stressed that Nigeria must prepare its young people to contribute meaningfully to technological advancement rather than remain passive users of innovations developed elsewhere.
“The future will not be built by technology alone; it will be built by people who have the skills, imagination and opportunity to use technology well,” he said.
Why AI and Digital Literacy Matter for Nigerian Students
The call comes as digital skills become increasingly relevant across industries, including education, finance, healthcare, agriculture and communications. As businesses adopt automated systems and AI-powered tools, young people who understand these technologies may have better opportunities to participate in the changing economy.
Making digital literacy compulsory would help students develop practical knowledge beyond conventional computer use. Depending on the curriculum, this could include understanding AI applications, evaluating information generated by digital tools, protecting personal data, recognising online risks and applying technology to solve everyday problems.
However, successful implementation would require more than adding new subjects to the timetable. Schools would need trained teachers, appropriate learning materials, reliable electricity and access to digital devices and internet connectivity.
Existing challenges in Nigeria’s education sector highlight the importance of these investments. In August 2025, the Universal Basic Education Commission reported that more than 60 per cent of public primary school teachers lacked basic digital skills, according to The Guardian’s report on teachers’ digital literacy.
The figure underscores the need to strengthen teachers’ capacity alongside efforts to equip students. Without adequate preparation and infrastructure, schools in underserved communities could struggle to deliver meaningful technology education.
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IDSEF Plans Practical Training in Emerging Technologies
The Icitify Digital Skills Empowerment Foundation is seeking to expand young Nigerians’ access to technical training, mentorship and opportunities to develop skills relevant to the global economy.
Its founder and chief executive officer, AbdulAzeez Adelopo, said the organisation would focus on fields including software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, user interface and user experience design, AI and machine learning, data science, digital marketing, robotics and drone technology.
The foundation’s approach is organised around five pillars: Access, Learn, Build, Connect and Progress. The model is intended to combine learning with practical projects, professional mentorship and industry connections, helping participants turn acquired knowledge into employment or entrepreneurial opportunities.
Adelopo appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and development partners to support the initiative through funding, equipment donations, mentorship, technical expertise and partnerships with schools.
He explained that financial and institutional support would help provide the infrastructure, personnel and learning resources required to deliver the programmes.
Chairman of the foundation’s board, Dr Taofeek Akinola, described the launch as an opportunity to expand the impact of Adelopo’s longstanding community service in digital skills development.
Akinola also urged governments at federal, state and local levels to invest in digital and vocational training, while encouraging private companies to support skills development through their corporate social responsibility programmes.
Back Story: Nigeria’s Push for Digital Education
The renewed call to make AI and digital literacy compulsory comes amid broader efforts to prepare Nigerian learners for technology-driven employment and innovation.
In January 2026, the Federal Government inaugurated a joint implementation committee for a programme targeting one million Nigerians for training and certification in digital literacy and emerging technology skills. The initiative forms part of the country’s wider digital transformation agenda, according to The Guardian’s report on the federal digital skills programme.
Meanwhile, the introduction of AI literacy initiatives has also attracted support from civil society organisations. In October 2025, the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative launched a programme designed to improve public understanding of AI, including its applications, safety considerations and ethical implications. Details are available in The Guardian’s report on the initiative.
At the Ibadan event, another speaker, former All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, argued that information technology education should begin at primary school level. He cited his children’s early exposure to IT skills in Oman as an example of the importance of introducing technology education at a young age.
The discussions point to a growing recognition that preparing Nigerian students for the future requires coordinated action by government, schools, private organisations and development partners. The central challenge will be translating these calls into accessible, practical education that reaches learners across the country.
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