Most Nigerian universities are facing challenges in hiring professors with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), leading to a knowledge gap of the emerging technology poised to add $2.9 trillion to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.
This issue is concerning, given the transformative role AI is expected to play in Nigeria and globally. The International Monetary Fund recently highlighted that “we are on the brink of a technological revolution that could jumpstart productivity, boost global growth, and raise incomes around the world.”
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Despite having at least 262 universities (52 federal, 63 state-owned, and 147 private), these institutions are struggling to keep pace with the evolving tech industry and provide outdated educational content.
A report by GSMA, ‘AI for Africa: Use cases delivering impact,’ highlighted that this scarcity is a major challenge in Nigeria and Kenya.
“In Kenya and Nigeria, the scarcity of professors with robust AI expertise and qualifications appears to be a significant challenge. Academic institutions typically lack the financial resources to recruit them, impacting the quality of courses offered,” it said.
This results in students learning outdated concepts or missing out on crucial advancements. The global body for telcos noted that this funding gap also shifts the focus in these schools to software development and engineering as a proxy for AI skills.
Experts in Kenya and Nigeria noted that students lack a robust understanding of the mathematical foundations essential to data science, which is crucial to AI.
It said, “Across countries, a significant skills gap still undermines the development of the AI ecosystem and use cases. While universities offer AI-related courses, they often fail to keep pace with industry needs, and students have limited opportunities for practical learning and hands-on experiences.
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“There is also a disproportionate focus on core AI skills, such as ML and data science, with less emphasis on building the multidisciplinary skillsets needed to leverage AI to address pressing socioeconomic challenges.”
AI is the ability of a machine or computer to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Algorithms, created by humans, serve as the backbone of every AI system, providing the instructions that guide the system to process and analyse data.
At a recent AI event, Hadiza Balarabe, the deputy governor of Kaduna, said, “AI is not just the future; it is the present. By equipping our people with AI skills, we are paving the way for a more prosperous and innovative Nigeria.”
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities has identified inadequate funding as a major challenge affecting the growth of public universities. The Academic Staff Union of Universities has long pressured the government to invest in tertiary institutions through numerous strike actions.
This lack of funding results in a shortage of skilled AI professionals, impacting local startups that struggle to find AI talents. The global demand for AI professionals exacerbates this situation, causing a brain drain that further reduces the pipeline of AI talent in the country.
GSMA also highlighted that opportunities for practical application and hands-on experience are major barriers.
It said, “Resource constraints, such as limited access to laptops and high connectivity, prevent students from applying their theoretical knowledge. In addition, limited collaboration between industry and academia restricts their engagement with the private sector and exposure to industry challenges.”
Large tech players, industry associations, and civil society organisations are addressing this gap by offering upskilling programs and certifications. Access to online resources, ranging from YouTube tutorials to online certifications, facilitates self-learning and contributes to AI skill enhancement. Beyond technical skills, there is a need to develop multidisciplinary skillsets and incorporate AI skills into various fields to address societal challenges.
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Bayo Adekanbi, chief executive officer and founder of Data Science Nigeria, said, “Everybody must be empowered to understand what AI is and how they can leverage its opportunities and possibilities.”
GSMA also noted that end-users of AI tools also require some foundational level of digital literacy, including understanding how their data is being used by the applications they access. “Adoption and usage of AI-enabled applications, therefore, requires literacy and digital skills such as reading and writing and knowing how to use a mobile device for calls, messaging and apps,” the telco body said.
Adekanbi added, “It is what you understand that you can use.”
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