The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Prof. Umaru Pate, has urged tertiary institutions to embrace Artificial Intelligence in tackling unemployment and poverty.

Mr Pate made the call on Friday in Kashere, Gombe State, during the university’s third combined convocation for undergraduates.  

He explained that AI was causing some jobs to disappear while creating new opportunities, adding that only those with relevant skills would benefit from AI-driven employment.

He stated that for Nigerian youths to remain relevant, universities must adopt modern approaches to education focused on current knowledge and technological innovation.

Mr Pate said stakeholders must stop preparing students for obsolete jobs, as AI was reshaping the employment landscape at an unprecedented pace.

He called on universities to shift from traditional teaching methods and prioritise AI-driven training to meet evolving global demands.

He stated, “At this university, we avoid training students for jobs that will soon become obsolete due to automation and AI.’’ 

He cited recent reports predicting that over 92 million jobs might vanish within five years, while 120 million new roles would emerge through AI and digital technologies.

 “We require fresh mindsets, updated skills, and renewed cognitive and emotional capacities to stay relevant or risk fading into global irrelevance,” he stated.  

Mr Pate stressed that oil was no longer the global economic driver, noting that instead, knowledge and innovation had become the new forces of global relevance.

 He said that Nigerian universities must take the lead in embracing the worldwide transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

Mr Pate called for greater investment in youth education, describing young people as the true engine of Nigeria’s future.

He said investing in their education could help address poverty, crime, conflict, corruption, climate change and other developmental challenges.

The VC urged the graduating students to focus on personal development, stating that digital skills and critical thinking were essential for success in today’s world.

He encouraged the 6,870 graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the university wherever they go.

(NAN)