Leverage AI to Fight Unemployment & Poverty, VC Tells Nigerian Tertiary Institutions!
The vice chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Prof. Umaru Pate, has encouraged higher education institutions to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) as a means to combat unemployment and poverty.
Mr. Pate made this appeal on Friday in Kashere, Gombe State, during the university’s third joint convocation for undergraduate students.
He noted that while AI is leading to the elimination of certain jobs, it is also generating new opportunities, emphasizing that only individuals with the right skills will benefit from artificial intelligence-related employment.
He pointed out that for Nigerian youth to remain competitive, universities must embrace contemporary educational methods that emphasize current knowledge and technological advancements.
Mr. Pate urged that stakeholders should cease preparing students for outdated jobs, as artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the job market.
He called upon universities to move away from conventional teaching methods and focus on artificial intelligence-based training to align with changing global needs.
He remarked, “At this university, we strive to avoid training students for positions that will soon become redundant due to automation and AI.”
He referenced recent findings that suggest over 92 million jobs could disappear within five years, while 120 million new positions would be created due to AI and digital technologies.
“We need new perspectives, updated skills, and improved cognitive and emotional capacities to remain relevant, or we risk fading into global insignificance,” he stated.
Mr. Pate underscored that oil is no longer the principal driver of the global economy, asserting that knowledge and innovation have become the key forces of global significance.
He mentioned that Nigerian universities should lead the way in adopting the global shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
Mr. Pate advocated for increased investment in youth education, considering young people as the true backbone of Nigeria’s future.
He expressed that investing in their education could be instrumental in addressing poverty, crime, conflict, corruption, climate change, and other developmental issues.
The VC encouraged the graduating students to concentrate on personal growth, highlighting that digital skills and critical thinking are vital for success in the contemporary world.
He advised the 6,870 graduates to be exemplary representatives of the university in all their future endeavors.
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