The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has set its sights on unveiling a comprehensive policy document that addresses the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within its academic structure. As AI continues to evolve and infiltrate various facets of education, UNILAG’s initiative is timely and pivotal in shaping how these technologies are applied in higher learning environments. This document, once finalized and approved by the university’s Senate, is expected to serve as a guiding framework, not only for students but also for faculty members in their interaction with AI tools.
The overarching goal of the policy is to ensure that AI serves as a tool that enhances critical thinking, intellectual engagement, and academic integrity, rather than undermining the foundations of education. The university’s decision to focus on AI’s ethical use comes at a time when there is global debate on how such technologies should be used in academic spaces. With AI tools becoming more readily available, students and lecturers are increasingly turning to them for various purposes, including research, writing assistance, and plagiarism detection. However, the application of AI in academia, while promising, also presents significant ethical dilemmas that need careful consideration.
Professor Bola Oboh, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research at UNILAG, made it clear that while AI’s integration into academia is inevitable, it must be done in a manner that promotes academic rigor and intellectual honesty. The policy is set to encourage the proper use of AI in academia, allowing it to enhance rather than replace the fundamental skills of independent thinking, problem-solving, and creative writing. She stressed that students should not solely rely on AI tools to produce work but instead use them as aids that supplement their own intellectual capacity. The core objective is to preserve the authenticity of academic efforts and promote a culture of originality and critical engagement with subject matter.
A key aspect of the policy is the emphasis on avoiding academic laziness and plagiarism, both of which are facilitated when students and faculty misuse AI tools. Professor Oboh acknowledged the growing tendency among students to exploit AI to bypass the traditional academic processes, such as research, analysis, and writing. While AI can be an asset in simplifying complex processes and aiding students in their studies, the risk of over-reliance on these technologies without proper intellectual effort is a real concern. The policy aims to curb this tendency by fostering an environment that encourages independent thought while still embracing the benefits of technological advancements.
At the recent workshop on ethics in higher education, which UNILAG organized in collaboration with the Office of International Relations, Partnerships, and Prospects (IRPP), Professor Oboh also highlighted the increasing role that AI plays in detecting academic dishonesty. AI-powered plagiarism detection tools have become invaluable in safeguarding academic integrity, ensuring that students and faculty are held accountable for the originality of their work. While these tools are essential in identifying copied or stolen content, Professor Oboh emphasized that their use should not overshadow the importance of nurturing critical thinking and intellectual autonomy. The goal is not to discourage the use of AI but to ensure it complements the intellectual efforts of individuals rather than replacing them altogether.
The workshop, facilitated by Professor Russell Porter from Texas A&M University, served as a platform for engaging in deep discussions about the ethical implications of AI in academia. Porter, an expert in AI ethics, spoke extensively on the need for universities to implement proactive measures to deal with AI-related ethical concerns. He argued that institutions must develop frameworks that are not just reactive but also preventative, addressing potential ethical violations before they occur. According to Porter, universities must establish ethics committees that are tasked with evaluating past ethical breaches and formulating strategies to prevent their recurrence. By adopting such forward-thinking measures, academic institutions can ensure that their use of AI remains aligned with global ethical standards.
Babatunde Sawyer, a lecturer at the Department of Computer Science at UNILAG, also participated in the workshop and provided insights into the technical side of AI’s application in academia. As the Research Lead at the Machine Intelligence Research Group (MIRG), Sawyer emphasized the importance of ensuring that AI tools used in academic settings are reliable, valid, and secure. He noted that privacy and accountability must be prioritized when implementing AI systems to protect both students’ and faculty’s rights. Ensuring the ethical use of AI also means being mindful of the security risks that could arise from mishandling sensitive data, particularly in academic research.
UNILAG’s proactive stance on AI ethics represents a broader trend within Nigerian higher education toward adapting to technological advancements while maintaining high academic standards. As more universities around the world, including those in Nigeria, incorporate AI into their curricula and administrative processes, the need for robust ethical guidelines becomes ever more pressing. By addressing these issues now, UNILAG is not only setting a strong example for other institutions but also creating a pathway for the responsible use of AI in education across the country.
In the context of Nigerian higher education, the ethical use of AI could also have a profound impact on the quality of research output. With AI tools offering powerful capabilities in data analysis, literature reviews, and even in generating preliminary drafts, Nigerian universities can enhance their research capacity and global competitiveness. However, as emphasized by Professor Oboh and her colleagues, these tools should be used in ways that foster intellectual independence and academic diligence. The policy being developed at UNILAG aims to ensure that AI is harnessed effectively, and in ways that promote ethical research practices, intellectual integrity, and critical thought.
As AI continues to reshape higher education, UNILAG’s initiative will be instrumental in preparing both students and staff for the ethical challenges that lie ahead. It will also serve as a template for other universities in Nigeria and across the African continent as they navigate the complexities of integrating AI into academia. The move to create a policy that specifically addresses the ethical use of AI in academic settings reflects the university’s commitment to maintaining academic excellence and integrity in an increasingly digital world. This initiative also underscores the importance of staying ahead of global trends while ensuring that the core values of education such as critical thinking, innovation, and intellectual honesty are upheld.
