A Chief Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech), Dr Omobayo Taofeek Raheem, has called on individuals, institutions and industries to key into using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance Nigeria.
Raheem made the call on Thursday while delivering Yaba College of Technology’s 17th Inaugural Lecture Series 2025, with the title: ‘Capacitance of Artificial Intelligence: Communication, Framing and Learning in a Growing Economy’.
Dr. Raheem is currently the Director, Centre for Communication, Information and Protocol at Yabatech.
He said that AI had the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy from developing to developed, by improving productivity, efficiency and decision-making in businesses.
“AI has revolutionized how we work, live and engage in activities.
“It holds significant importance due to its transformative impact on various aspects of our lives.
“AI can enable us as a people to compete better with developed countries especially due to the fact that Nigeria already possesses human resource capacity.
He highlighted AI as a powerful tool for enhancing communication and improving teaching and learning when used responsibly and strategically, noting that with the right infrastructure and guidance, AI can foster creativity, critical thinking, and increased computational capacity.
The lecturer identified challenges in a growing economy to include high cost of energy, poverty, low productivity, high population growth rate and high rate of unemployment
He recommended development of programmes, instructional materials and support systems to enable educators to integrate AI technologies into teaching and learning.
The Rector of Yabatech, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, who praised the inaugural lecturer, said the lecture would expand people’s understanding of AI and how it pervaded different aspects of communication, media framing and learning.
Abdul said: “He has made us to realise that since we now live in the age of digitalisation and globalisation, AI cannot but play the role of a master key in growing our economy.
The lecture had in attendance traditional rulers from Lagos and Oyo state, eminent personalities, academic scholars and communication experts
