Nigerian Vice-Chancellors Urge AI Investment in Universities

At the 37th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Vice-Chancellors called on the Federal Government to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance university funding. The conference, themed “, addressed challenges facing higher education, including funding constraints, technological disruption, and brain drain.

Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Chairman of the CVCNU and Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, emphasized the need for universities to adapt to an AI-driven future and maintain their relevance in national development. He urged the government to support sustainable financing models for universities, as reliance on public funding alone is inadequate.

Prof. Andrew Haruna, Secretary-General of the CVCNU, advocated for unity among Nigeria's 324 universities to strengthen the system through collaboration and knowledge-sharing. The conference aimed to explore governance, institutional autonomy, and the development of AI-ready universities.