…Talabi tasks educators on AI adoption
A total of 876 graduates of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) have been inducted into the teaching profession by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), with a charge on them to take advantage of current digitalisation era and leverage Artificial Intelligence as a tool for learning as well as catalyst for societal growth and development.
The Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, gave the charge at the 4th induction ceremony of the Faculty of Education, OOU, held at the Main Campus of the University, Ago-Iwoye on Thursday, 10th April, 2025. Also at the event, the Acting Registrar and Chief Executive of the TRCN, Dr. Stella-Maria Nwokeocha, admonished the inductees to adhere strictly to the ethical conduct and standards of the teaching profession and dedicate themselves to the task of improving the lot of education sector in Nigeria and beyond.
Delivering the induction lecture entitled, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education,” Talabi, who was represented by the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, underscored the importance of teachers, noting that they remained the backbone of the education system. According to him, teachers inspire, motivate and nurture the minds of children and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
The SSG, however, emphasised that as the world continued to undergo technological shift, teachers must also prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities of the time. He identified artificial intelligence as a modern invention capable of helping students to learn better and making teachers more efficient.
He said, “The world is undergoing a technological shift driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is characterised by automation, innovative technologies, and AI-driven solutions. AI, once a science fiction concept, is now a present-day reality influencing industries such as healthcare, finance, governance, and—most significantly—education.”
“This is why I appreciate the choice of topic for this Lecture, which is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. It highlights AI’s crucial role in shaping our education sector’s future and ensuring it remains dynamic, innovative, and responsive to evolving global trends,” he added.
As educators, Talabi urged the inductees to embrace the use of artificial intelligence while upholding ethics, inclusivity and human-centred learning experiences. He advised them to see artificial intelligence as an ally and not as a competitor. He was optimistic that leveraging AI would enhance the quality of education in Ogun State and Nigeria and also pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future for generations to come. Talabi further said, “Today, AI is no longer a distant dream but a transformative force shaping how we teach, learn and interact with knowledge. It revolutionises education and other sectors, making learning more adaptive, efficient and accessible.
“AI can be applied in multiple ways in education, from personalised learning systems to administrative automation, improving teaching and learning experiences. AI can help create innovative content, including digital textbooks, interactive simulations, and videos, to make learning more engaging.”
“Virtual classrooms powered by AI can provide real-time feedback to students and teachers. This is particularly relevant in a country where access to educational resources can be limited due to geographical and economic factors.”
“AI-powered platforms like Coursera and edX provide online courses from universities worldwide, making education accessible even to Nigerian students in remote areas. By adopting such platforms, Nigerian students can access high-quality educational content at their fingertips.”
To fully harness its benefits, the Guest Lecturer advocated investment in necessary infrastructure, provision of adequate training for educators, and establishment of policies that ensure ethical and inclusive implementation of AI in the country’s educational systems.
In her address, Dr. Nwokeocha congratulated the inductees for being successful in their qualifying professional examination previously conducted by the TRCN. She expressed confidence that the University had found them worthy in learning and in character to also qualify for the induction.
The TRCN boss, however, urged the inductees to be disciplined, promote best practices and uphold the ethics of the teaching profession, saying they have a bright future and should not hesitate to expose themselves to modern and better trends in education.
“As graduates of education,” she further told the inductees “you have a huge task before you to better the standard of education in Nigeria and beyond.”
“Quality education is important for the growth and advancement of any country because it is difficult for a country to develop above the level of education of its citizens. Consequently, as educators, you must be prepared to stand in improving the standard of education in the country. Conduct yourself in a manner that shows you passed through a disciplined and noble profession,” the Acting Registrar pointed out.
She reaffirmed the commitment of TRCN to fulfilling its core mandates in accordance with the Act establishing the regulatory body.
Earlier in his opening remarks as chairman of the induction ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, congratulated the newly qualified educators and urged them to join other stakeholders to create a world where people have access to quality education.
The Vice-Chancellor also appealed to the inducted graduates to always remember their Alma Mater by being committed to the course of the Alumni Association in moving the University forward.
The Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Yekinni Oguntimehin, had, in his welcome address, disclosed that the induction was the fourth in the history of the Faculty. While congratulating the successful inductees, the Dean encouraged them to keep abreast of current developments and best practices in their field, and to apply their knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions to their profession.
“Life is dynamic; you need to continue to be abreast of knowledge always. Currently, AI is the rave of the moment. So, you should continue to learn. Remember also that learning is from the womb to the tomb,” Prof. Oguntimehin said.
Highlight of the induction ceremony was the turning of sod for the proposed Centre for Excellence in Teaching at the Faculty of Education by the Special Guest of Honour, Otunba Bankole Habeeb Olugbile, who was complemented by both the Vice-Chancellor and the Induction Guest Lecturer.
