A Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Lagos, Olukemi Lawanson, has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to revamp Nigeria’s higher education curriculum to meet the evolving demands of the modern labor market.

Speaking at the University of Lagos inaugural lecture titled To Everything There Is a Season… The Perspectives of a Labour Economist at the J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, Lawanson emphasized the urgent need to phase out academic programmes that have been rendered obsolete by artificial intelligence and technological advancements. She advocated for the introduction of AI-focused courses to better prepare students for the job market.

“The NUC, as the regulatory body for tertiary institutions, must ensure that only relevant courses are offered—courses that equip students with skills applicable in today’s labor market. Many traditional courses are outdated or on the verge of becoming obsolete due to AI-driven automation,” she said.

Lawanson called for a complete overhaul of the higher education curriculum to incorporate global best practices. She highlighted the necessity of training and retraining lecturers to keep up with international standards in teaching methodologies.

She urged the government to collaborate with universities to modernize education by integrating AI-related programs and investing in essential AI infrastructure, such as high-performance computing facilities, AI research labs, and data centers. According to her, these measures will enable the effective deployment of AI technologies in tertiary education.

Furthermore, she advocated for a comprehensive national policy on AI in education to provide a structured framework for AI integration in teaching, learning, and research.

“This policy should cover funding, infrastructure development, and curriculum design. Tertiary institutions should equip students with both technical and soft skills in areas such as machine learning, data science, and responsible AI development. The government should work with universities to establish ethical guidelines for AI use, addressing issues like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the societal implications of AI adoption,” she stated.

Lawanson also urged university management to ensure students are adequately prepared for the AI-driven job market. She stressed the need to cultivate creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, encouraging students to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset rather than relying solely on government jobs.

“Students must be challenged to think outside the box, be proactive, and embrace entrepreneurship. Universities should create learning environments that foster problem-solving skills and adaptability,” she said.

She further called for increased government funding for AI research and innovation in universities, emphasizing that this would enable the development of AI-powered solutions, groundbreaking research, and the training of future AI experts.

Lawanson concluded by stressing that embracing AI in education is vital for Nigeria’s national development and global competitiveness. She urged the government to take decisive steps in supporting AI integration in universities to modernize education and equip graduates for an AI-driven future.