Concerned about the growing misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic work, the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced plans to introduce a policy document on the ethical use of AI by students and lecturers.
This was disclosed by the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Prof. Bola Oboh, during the opening session of a three-day workshop on ethics in higher education.
The workshop, organized by the Office of International Relations, Partnerships, and Prospects, UNILAG, was facilitated by Prof. Russell Porter, Deputy Ethics Officer at Texas A&M University, Central Texas, USA.
Prof. Oboh acknowledged the inevitability of AI in academic work but stressed that it should serve as a complementary tool rather than a substitute for intellectual engagement.
“If we say no to AI, we will just be deceiving ourselves. So, we have already started developing policies in that area as a university. In the next one or two months, I’m sure the policy will be finally taken to the Senate for consideration,” she said.
She emphasized that students and lecturers must use AI responsibly, ensuring it enhances critical thinking rather than fostering plagiarism and laziness.
“Whether we like it or not, our students are already using it, and some lecturers are also using it to check for plagiarized works. However, students must understand that while AI is a helpful tool, the ability to think critically and independently should never be compromised,” she added.
Workshop Highlights Global Ethical Concerns in AI Usage
Prof. Russell Porter, in his keynote presentation, shed light on the global ethical concerns associated with AI and Machine Learning in academic research. He pointed out that institutions worldwide are constantly reviewing AI ethics policies to ensure responsible usage.
As part of the workshop, Babatunde Sawyer, Research Lead at the Machine Intelligence Research Group, UNILAG, provided insights on key AI ethics principles, including accountability, validity, reliability, explainability, security, and privacy.
Held at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre, the training aimed at strengthening faculty members’ understanding of ethical AI use and fostering proactive research practices. Participants were tasked with disseminating the knowledge gained to their respective faculties within six months.
With this policy initiative, UNILAG positions itself as a leader in promoting ethical AI usage in Nigeria’s higher education sector, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for intellectual growth rather than a shortcut to academic dishonesty.
