Vice Chancellor Urges Use of AI in Combating Unemployment, Poverty

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Professor Umaru Pate, has encouraged higher institutions to adopt artificial intelligence as a tool for addressing unemployment and poverty.

Mr Pate made this appeal on Friday in Kashere, Gombe State, during the university’s third combined convocation ceremony for undergraduate students.

He explained that while AI is eliminating some types of jobs, it is also creating new ones, stressing that only individuals with the right skills will benefit from employment opportunities driven by AI.

He said that for Nigerian youths to remain competitive, universities must implement modern educational strategies that emphasise up-to-date knowledge and technological innovation.

Mr Pate noted that stakeholders should stop preparing students for outdated job roles, as AI is rapidly transforming the job market.

He urged universities to move away from conventional teaching styles and give priority to AI-focused training in order to meet the changing demands of the global workforce.

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

He referred to recent forecasts indicating that more than 92 million jobs may be lost in the next five years, while 120 million new positions will be created 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 emphasised that oil is no longer the main driver of the world economy, pointing out that knowledge and innovation have become the key forces behind global relevance.

He said Nigerian universities must take a leading role in embracing the global shift towards a knowledge-driven economy.

Mr Pate called for increased funding in youth education, describing young people as the real driving force behind Nigeria’s future.

He explained that educating the youth could help solve problems such as poverty, crime, conflict, corruption, climate change, and other development-related issues.

The Vice Chancellor advised the graduating students to concentrate on self-improvement, saying that digital literacy and critical thinking were vital for achieving success in today’s world.

He encouraged the 6,870 graduating students to become worthy representatives of the university in all their future endeavours.