This call was made at a public lecture themed “Technical Education and National Development: The Place of AI, Its Credibility, Trust, and Transparency,” held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. The event wOas organised in honour of Dr. Omobayo Taofeek Raheem, former Deputy Rector and immediate past Director of the Centre for Information, Communication, and Public Relations at YabaTech.
Rethinking Technical Education in the AI Era
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, described the forum as a strategic moment for reshaping the trajectory of technical education in Nigeria.
“The future of education, especially technical education, is inseparably linked to technology, and most notably, artificial intelligence,” he stated.
Dr. Abdul emphasised that AI’s proper integration into technical curricula could enhance applied research, foster innovation, and better align graduates with the dynamic demands of the global labour market. He argued that the event was not merely a tribute to a distinguished academic but a reflection on how Nigeria can leverage emerging technologies to strengthen its education system.
AI as a Tool for Quality Training and Responsible Innovation
Echoing this stance, Dr. Mukail Akinde, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, who chaired the event, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in redefining the quality and scope of technical training.
“Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most revolutionary forces in modern development. Its integration into technical education enhances training quality and prepares students for high-demand roles in automation, data science, and robotics.”
However, he warned that this transformation must be guided by ethical principles to prevent misuse, bias, and misinformation. Akinde advocated for interdisciplinary collaboration among educators, technologists, and policymakers to ensure that AI systems are deployed with transparency, accountability, and fairness.
He listed several AI-powered educational tools — including intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading platforms, virtual labs, and coding assistants — that could be leveraged to personalise instruction and improve outcomes.
Akinde further urged institutions to integrate AI ethics and responsible innovation into the curriculum, preparing students not just as skilled professionals but as conscientious developers and users of technology.
L-R: The Chairman of Lecture and Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Dr. Mukail Akinde, presenting the Plaque Award of a well delivered lecture to the Guest Speaker's representative, Mr. Dotun Oladipo in the admiration of the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Engr Ibraheem Abdul (r) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) South West Zonal Director, Elder Ayo Aroge (l) at a Public Lecture in honour of Dr. Omobayo Raheem who retired from the service of Yabatech, held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium.
Bridging the Skills Gap: Beyond Paper Qualifications
In a keynote address presented on his behalf, Mr. Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Group Controller for Current and Public Affairs at TVC Communications, lamented Nigeria’s systemic undervaluing of technical skills in favour of academic qualifications. His paper, delivered by Mr. Dotun Oladipupo, CEO of Premium Eagle Media, was a strong indictment of the status quo.
“In Nigeria, practical skills are undervalued. We must begin to shift from paper qualifications to practical competencies,” he stated.
Kolade-Otitoju argued that technical education remains a powerful tool for economic empowerment, especially for Nigeria’s youthful population. He called for stronger industry-academia linkages through internships, apprenticeships, and applied learning programmes, which he said are critical to reducing unemployment and promoting innovation in sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, and digital media.
Policy Reform and Funding as Catalysts
Kolade-Otitoju also used the occasion to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the long-debated bill abolishing the dichotomy between Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Bachelor’s degrees — a long-standing issue seen as stifling polytechnic graduates' career progression.
He called for increased government funding and infrastructural support to enable Nigerian polytechnics to compete globally and deliver hands-on, tech-driven education.
A Collective Vision for Future-Ready Learning
The event concluded with a strong consensus: to remain competitive in an AI-powered world, Nigeria must modernise its technical education framework. That includes embracing smart technologies, revising outdated curricula, investing in training infrastructure, and adopting inclusive policies that value skills over credentials.
By anchoring its educational vision in ethical AI and practical competencies, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its human capital and steer the nation toward sustained socio-economic development.