FG Urges Varsities to Adopt AI, Strengthen Regulatory Compliance

The Federal Government has urged Nigerian universities to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies while strengthening regulatory compliance, governance and accountability across the higher education system.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, made the call on Tuesday while declaring open the 2026 retreat of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and vice-chancellors in Abuja.

Ahmad said rapid advances in artificial intelligence, digital learning, data analytics and research were changing higher education globally, requiring Nigerian institutions to review their policies and practices to remain competitive.

She, however, stressed that AI adoption must be guided by clear safeguards covering academic integrity, ethics, data protection and responsible use.

The retreat, holding from October 13 to 14 at the NUC headquarters, is themed “Enhancing Regulatory Compliance, Governance, Leadership, and Partnership in the Nigerian University System.”

Ahmad urged university leaders to promote transparency and accountability in financial management, procurement, recruitment, staff promotion, admissions and examinations. She also called on vice-chancellors to establish clear institutional goals, set measurable performance targets and create environments that support academic excellence.

The minister said universities should serve not only as degree-awarding institutions but also as centres of research, innovation, character development and industrial transformation.

NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, said the commission was strengthening its regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms. He disclosed plans to introduce post-accreditation monitoring visits to assess academic programmes after accreditation, alongside post-matriculation monitoring and carrying-capacity visits to improve admission processes.

Ribadu also said the commission was developing a National AI Roadmap and Policy Framework for Nigerian universities. The NUC has deployed its e-NUC platform to automate internal workflows and is developing accreditation software to improve transparency, data management and oversight.

He added that the commission was working to strengthen research commercialisation and build partnerships with industry, government and development organisations to translate academic research into practical solutions.

Acknowledging funding constraints, Ribadu encouraged universities to explore support from the private sector, alumni and development partners while complying with regulatory requirements.

The retreat brings together vice-chancellors from federal, state and private universities, education officials and other stakeholders to discuss practical measures for improving university governance, quality assurance and research outcomes.