Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently spoke at the third international colloquium and 50th anniversary of learning opportunities organized by the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Lagos. The theme of the colloquium was centered around the invasion of the education landscape by artificial intelligence and its implications for open, flexible, and distance learning.
During his address, Obasanjo highlighted the pressing issue of over 20 million Nigerian children being out-of-school, emphasizing the crisis facing the country’s education sector. He proposed that artificial intelligence and open distance learning could serve as tools to address this crisis effectively. Drawing from his personal experience, Obasanjo shared that he had enrolled in an open distance learning university, underscoring the effectiveness of such educational approaches.
The former president commended the university’s management for its innovative development initiatives both within and outside the institution. He noted that distance learning and teaching could potentially resolve issues related to accommodation and transportation within the university setting, making education more accessible to a wider population.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, expressed pride in the institution’s commitment to distance learning, recognizing the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of education. With Nigeria’s large population, particularly the youth demographic, there is a significant need to educate a substantial portion of the populace. Currently, a considerable number of individuals are enrolled in the university system, with a significant portion engaged in distance learning programs.
Ogunsola emphasized the importance of embracing change and innovation in education, highlighting UNILAG’s proactive approach to adapting to evolving educational paradigms. She stressed that the university was working towards ensuring that distance learning certificates held the same value as traditional degree certificates, signaling a shift towards greater recognition of alternative educational pathways.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Ramesh Sharma from the University of Guyana, South America, delved into the impact of artificial intelligence on open distance and online education. Sharma dispelled fears of AI displacing human jobs, emphasizing the potential for AI to enhance learning outcomes and academic success. He outlined the various levels of artificial intelligence and its applications in educational settings, including predicting student success and providing valuable insights from research data.
Prof. Risikat Dauda, the Director of the Distance Learning Institute at UNILAG, reiterated the institution’s commitment to promoting responsible AI use for educational purposes. She acknowledged the rapid transformation of traditional teaching and learning approaches due to AI incursions in the education sector, emphasizing the need for ethical and effective integration of AI technologies.
The event was chaired by Prof. Kabiru Isyaku, Pro-Chancellor of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano, with the presence of distinguished figures such as Prof. Tayo Arulogun, Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Abuja, among others. The discussions and insights shared at the colloquium underscored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in addressing educational challenges and enhancing learning outcomes in Nigeria and beyond.