Abuja, Nigeria – The National Universities Commission (NUC) is developing a national artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap and policy framework to guide the responsible adoption of emerging technologies across Nigeria’s university system.
The announcement was made by NUC Executive Secretary Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu at the opening of the commission’s 2026 retreat for vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities in Abuja.
The two-day event focused on governance, leadership, accountability, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance in higher education.
Ribadu stated that AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, and research. He stressed that their adoption must be guided by appropriate policies, staff training, cybersecurity measures, academic integrity safeguards, and data protection protocols.
“The commission is developing a national AI roadmap and policy framework for the university system,” Ribadu said, according to reports from the retreat. He added that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen digital transformation and regulatory oversight.
The framework is still under development and has not yet been finalised or made enforceable. No specific implementation timeline or immediate requirements for students and lecturers have been announced.
Minister of State for Education Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, who declared the retreat open, urged universities to embrace AI, digital learning, data analytics, and modern research methods to remain competitive globally. She cautioned, however, that AI use must be guided by clear institutional policies addressing ethical implications, academic integrity, data protection, and responsible use.
Ahmad emphasised the need for closer collaboration between the NUC and university leadership, noting that isolated institutional efforts or regulatory directives alone cannot resolve the challenges facing higher education. She also called on universities to strengthen accountability in financial management, recruitment, admissions, and examinations.
Beyond the AI framework, Ribadu outlined additional reforms. These include post-accreditation monitoring visits, post-matriculation monitoring, and carrying-capacity assessments to uphold academic standards and improve admission processes. The commission is developing accreditation software to enhance transparency and regulatory compliance, as well as new guidelines for honorary doctorate degrees, with sanctions for non-compliant institutions.
Ribadu further noted that the Tertiary Education Research and Application Services platform of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has been integrated with the Nigerian Research and Education Network to boost research activities. The NUC has also launched the ACE Alliance platform to connect Nigeria’s 20 African Centres of Excellence and encourage research collaboration. Partnerships with the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement, and the African Development Bank are being leveraged to mobilise additional support.
The move comes amid growing institutional efforts by individual Nigerian universities to develop their own AI policies, many aligning with broader national strategies and international guidelines such as those from UNESCO. It also aligns with Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which prioritises responsible AI adoption across sectors including education.
Education stakeholders have previously called for a comprehensive national AI policy backed by law, with clear goals and implementation plans, to position Nigeria’s higher education system effectively in the global AI landscape.
The NUC’s framework is expected to provide a unified guide for universities as they integrate AI tools to support teaching, learning materials preparation, data analysis in research, and administrative processes, while prioritising ethical and secure practices. Further details on the policy’s content and rollout are awaited.
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