TLDR: The 2025 Annual Fafunwa Foundation Lecture in Lagos highlighted the critical need for Nigeria to embrace Artificial Intelligence in its educational system to avoid being left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Chaired by Bart Nnaji, the lecture, themed ‘Reinventing Teacher education for Culturally Rooted and AI-Enhanced Pedagogy in Nigeria,’ underscored the urgency of training educators in AI, Big Data, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity to prepare the next generation for an AI-driven world, while also celebrating the pioneering spirit of Professor Babatunde Aliyu Fafunwa.
Lagos, Nigeria – The legacy of Professor Babatunde Aliyu Fafunwa, a distinguished Nigerian statesman, academic, and former Minister of Education, was celebrated at the 2025 Annual Fafunwa Foundation Lecture and the 18th Postdoctoral Awards in Education. Held on Thursday, September 23, 2025, at the Muson Centre in Lagos, the event served as a poignant reminder of Fafunwa’s pioneering spirit while squarely addressing Nigeria’s contemporary challenge: the integration of Artificial Intelligence into its educational framework.
Chaired by Bart Nnaji, the lecture’s theme, ‘Reinventing Teacher education for Culturally Rooted and AI-Enhanced Pedagogy in Nigeria,’ resonated deeply with the current global technological shifts. Nnaji emphasized the profound impact of generative AI, citing the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT4 on November 30, 2022, as a pivotal moment that has ‘upended the world business.’ He stressed that ‘Nothing can remain the same’ in the wake of this technological revolution.
Nnaji articulated a stark warning for Nigeria and the African continent, noting that they ‘lost the last three Revolutions’ and ‘can’t afford to lose the 4th Industrial Revolution,’ which is intrinsically ‘shaped by generative AI.’ He asserted that for Nigeria to participate significantly in this new era, its educational institutions must be at the forefront of AI adoption. A critical component of this integration, according to Nnaji, is the comprehensive training of teachers in AI and related fields such as Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity. This foundational training is essential for educators to effectively impart these crucial skills to Nigerian children.
Drawing from personal experience, Nnaji shared how AI has ‘immensely enriched my research in intelligent machines,’ underscoring the practical benefits and transformative potential of the technology.
The event also paid tribute to Professor Fafunwa’s enduring contributions to Nigerian education. Remembered as a ‘Pan-Nigerian through and through,’ Fafunwa followed the tradition established by the ‘Great Zik of Africa.’ He was instrumental in the early development of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka, where he was brought by Zik in the early 1960s and served as acting Vice Chancellor during the civil disturbances of 1966. Fafunwa was also a staunch advocate for American education at a time when British colonial influence often led to its undervaluation. His academic legacy continues through his daughter, Professor Sheri Fafunwa-Ndibe, who has followed in his footsteps.
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The lecture concluded with a powerful call to action, urging Nigeria to strategically invest in AI education to secure its future in an increasingly technology-driven world, ensuring that Professor Fafunwa’s vision for a progressive and robust educational system continues to evolve with the times.
