Every year on January 24, the world marks the International Day for Education to celebrate the role of education in peace and development. This year’s theme, AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation, encourages reflection on “the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand, and influence technological advancement.” 

Research published by the African Journal of Theory and Practice of Educational Research highlights artificial intelligence (AI) as a driving force of the fourth educational revolution and a primary carrier of the technological progress of globally changing societies and economies. The research noted an increased efficiency of educational activities in Nigeria, emphasising AI’s role in enabling teaching, learning, and research methods while providing a wide range of information.

However, issues like funding, infrastructure, the digital divide, ethical considerations, and content localisation, among other challenges, were highlighted as barriers to the full implementation of AI in Nigeria’s educational system, especially among rural dwellers with a low digital literacy rate.

AI and the marginalised 

As the world advances in digital literacy, Nigeria seems to be lagging among other developing countries as fewer than 20 per cent of households were said to own a computer, according to the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends report of 2023. This digital divide continues to impact the inadequate access marginalised groups have to AI-driven education in Nigeria.

In the conflict-ridden states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, where over 10 million children remain out of school, the concept of AI-driven education is virtually non-existent. Basic literacy and numeracy remain unattainable for many due to the closure of more than 100 schools between 2022 and 2023, attributed to insecurity in the region.

Gbemisola Esho, a cloud security engineer who leads Connectbridge, an organisation involved in digital literacy and technology training for marginalised and underrepresented people, told HumAngle that the government and stakeholders need to deliberate on implementing programmes around AI in the country. She advocated partnerships with like-minded agencies to introduce and conduct AI training, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

“They should invest in infrastructure, expand internet access, and provide reliable connectivity. They should also provide tools like laptops and tablets to the students and train the teachers,” she added.

Gbemisola noted that collaborating with organisations offering AI-driven education could raise awareness among marginalised communities and facilitate free training programmes.

Safeguarding human agency

While AI offers opportunities to transform education, it also presents risks to human agency in learning. According to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the rapid acceleration of AI raises concerns about safeguarding human decision-making as the lines between human intention and machine-driven action blur.

Gbemisola warned of over-reliance on AI, especially in education, which could undermine human agency, particularly among children. “Whatever you feed into the AI system is what it will bring out,” she explained. “If you feed in bias, that’s what it will churn out. Humans can evaluate and reverse decisions, but AI lacks independent thought.”

She noted that some developers exclude certain groups when designing AI systems, which leads to further marginalisation. She stressed that educating people, particularly children, about AI’s limitations and ensuring responsible AI deployment is essential.

“AI should be fair, reliable, and safe. It should be inclusive, transparent, free of bias, and accountable,” Gbemisola said. She also called for regulatory policies to govern AI use across sectors, particularly education, to maintain ethical standards.

Addressing AI challenges through policy and innovation

In August 2024, the Nigerian government published a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy draft to position the country as a global leader in ethical and inclusive AI innovation. The strategy emphasises the development of a comprehensive ethical framework to address fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy concerns in AI projects.

Building on this foundation, the government, in partnership with key stakeholders, has begun efforts to harness AI’s potential responsibly. In September 2024, Dr Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced a $100 million collaboration with Google to support 10 Nigerian startups integrating AI into their products. Each startup received $10 million in funding and access to Google’s advanced AI tools, mentorship, and global networks to accelerate their growth.

By fostering partnerships between the government, educational institutions, and private sector stakeholders, Nigeria is working to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely accessible while maintaining a strong commitment to human agency and ethical standards.

However, it remains unclear how these initiatives will benefit marginalised communities. 

A path forward

Researchers recommend comprehensive programmes to equip students and educators with AI skills to bridge the gap in digital literacy. Continuous professional development for teachers and partnerships with organisations offering AI-driven solutions can help address the divide.

Despite these challenges, AI has the potential to complement—rather than replace—teachers. Fostering interaction between students and educators can support learning while keeping human engagement central to the process. 

With careful planning and investment, AI could transform education in Nigeria, empowering marginalised communities and preserving human agency in a digital age.