Nigeria positioned to lead in AI, say experts
Nigeria is strategically positioned to play a leading role in the global artificial intelligence landscape, according to education experts. No fewer than 200 education stakeholders from across Nigeria gave the
Nigeria is strategically positioned to play a leading role in the global artificial intelligence landscape, according to education experts.
No fewer than 200 education stakeholders from across Nigeria gave the verdict at a workshop to advance data-driven school governance and responsible AI integration in Abuja.
The Applied Leadership Workshop was titled,“Data and AI for School Administration: From Records to Results in Nigeria’s Education System.”
The workshop was convened by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, in partnership with the United States Embassy in Nigeria, at the weekend.
According to a statement, the Media and Communications Officer, Athena Centre for Policy & Leadership, Paul Liam, focused on how robust data systems and emerging artificial intelligence technologies can strengthen accountability, improve school management and enhance learning outcomes.
The lead presentation, Dr Omoju Miller, an AI strategist and founder/CEO, Fimio, stated that Nigeria’s global diaspora network and demographic strength represent a strategic advantage in building an AI-driven innovation economy.
She emphasised that while AI adoption is inevitable, national competitiveness will depend on building the capacity to lead, not merely participate.
Founder of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Academy, Dr Agodi Alagbe, argued that Nigeria’s education challenge is fundamentally one of data governance.
Read Also: London may host Finalissima between Spain, Argentina
“Nigeria’s education challenge is not AI; it is data,” she said, “Quality, structured and measurable data must inform reform at all levels. Good data governance precedes digitisation.”
She noted that inconsistent and poorly validated datasets on enrolment, teacher deployment, learning outcomes and infrastructure remain significant barriers to effective policy design.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, presented virtually on transitioning from paper-based administration to integrated digital systems, including Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Student Management Systems (SMS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS). Drawing on Ogun State’s DiPER experience, he demonstrated that digital transformation is achievable even within infrastructure-constrained environments when supported by institutional discipline and policy clarity.
Director of the Athena Centre, Chidima Chidoka, underscored the importance of institutional readiness, noting that artificial intelligence strengthens governance only where strong systems exist.
The workshop forms part of the Athena Centre’s broader mission to promote evidence-based governance and practical policy innovation in Nigeria. Participants agreed that strengthening education data architecture is the essential first step towards building a modern, accountable and AI-ready school system.
Participants who completed the assessments were awarded certificates of completion. Participating institutions would get a personalised AI Preparedness and Data Governance Assessment Report identifying operational gaps and outlining structured next steps towards responsible AI integration.
The Athena Centre for Policy & Leadership expresses its appreciation to the United States Embassy, Abuja, for its continued partnership in advancing responsible and contextually grounded innovation in Nigeria’s education sector.