By John Dike, Osogbo
All Progressives Congress (APC) secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has expressed concern over the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools by students to complete their academic projects.
He warned that such practices threaten the integrity, originality, and human depth of scholarly work.
The former federal lawmaker and legal scholar, made this remark while delivering the keynote address at the 12th Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Lecture, organized by the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch.
Nasiru, also an alumnus of the university, spoke on the theme, “Tech Governance in 2025: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility.”
He stressed that while technology has transformed education, governance, and everyday life, its misuse, especially in the academia, raises serious ethical concerns.
His words, “Technology must be harnessed responsibly. While it enhances efficiency, innovation without regulation could undermine democracy, compromise security, and widen social inequalities.”
AI in Education: A Double-Edged Sword
The APC chieftain specifically criticized the increasing reliance on AI tools for academic work, saying the practice erodes the emotional and intellectual rigour traditionally associated with research and learning.
He warned, “Students are now using AI to write their academic projects. The emotional and human touch of scholarship cannot be replaced by machines. Responsible use of technology must begin in our classrooms.”
Electoral Tech and National Security
On the role of technology in Nigeria’s democratic process, Basiru praised the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), describing it as a step toward electoral transparency. However, he cautioned against the hasty adoption of electronic voting, citing existing infrastructural, literacy, and cybersecurity challenges.
He said, “Any responsible government must not sacrifice electoral credibility for the speed of technology. Rushing e-voting into our system without adequate preparation would be reckless.”
Call for Responsible Tech Governance
Je also sounded the alarm on the growing threats posed by misinformation, fake news, and deepfakes in the digital space, urging both government and private sectors to implement safeguards that balance innovation with responsibility.
“The risks of unregulated tech use are real—from cybercrime to data breaches and deepfakes. Governance must be proactive to protect national security and the welfare of citizens,” he added.
The lecture was held in honour of the departed Prof Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, known for his contributions to technology and academia.
