UNIVERSITIES SHOULD SCRAP COURSES MADE OBSOLETE BY AI, SAYS UNILAG LECTURER. (PHOTO).

A leading labour economist, Professor Olukemi Lawanson of the University of Lagos, has sounded a warning that Nigeria's university education system is failing to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven job market.

Delivering her inaugural lecture, Lawanson argued that the National Universities Commission (NUC) must take urgent action to revamp the curriculum and phase out outdated courses that are no longer relevant in the modern labour market.

"The current curriculum is not preparing our students for the jobs of the future," Lawanson warned. "We need to introduce new courses that focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning."

Lawanson also emphasized the need for universities to invest in AI infrastructure, including high-performance computing facilities, research labs, and data centers. She called on the government to provide funding and support for AI research and innovation in tertiary institutions.

Furthermore, Lawanson stressed the importance of retraining lecturers to keep pace with international standards in teaching methodologies. She also challenged university management teams to cultivate creativity, innovation, and critical thinking in students, encouraging them to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.

Lawanson's call to action comes as Nigeria faces a growing skills gap in the AI-driven job market. With the increasing use of automation and AI in various industries, there is a pressing need for universities to adapt and provide students with the skills needed to remain relevant.

By overhauling the university education system and embracing AI-driven learning, Lawanson believes that Nigeria can build a workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy.