By Peter Omopo
Abuja, April 29, 2025 — A data and artificial intelligence expert, Abel Aboh, has called on the Nigerian government to embed AI education into the national curriculum, beginning from nursery schools through to higher education, warning that the country risks being left behind in the global tech race.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Aboh — who serves as a Data Manager, AI leader, and board member at The Data Lab in Scotland — emphasized that Nigeria must equip its young population not only to consume AI technology but to develop and innovate with it.
“We need to start from the early years. Countries like China are already teaching AI concepts at the nursery and primary school levels,” Aboh said.
He described digital literacy and AI education as essential, not optional, for any nation that hopes to compete in the evolving global economy. According to him, schools lacking internet connectivity and access to computers can no longer be considered functional in today’s digital world.
“Imagine a school without internet or without using computers. It’s not possible. We’ve got to embed artificial intelligence as part of the curriculum. This is not optional; it’s compulsory,” he stressed.
While commending ongoing efforts to train three million Nigerians in tech-related skills, Aboh argued that the figure falls short of what is needed to truly transform the country’s workforce and future economy.
“In my projection, we need to be targeting 10 million young Nigerian youths right now, not just 3 million,” he said.
Aboh advocated for a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s education system, urging the integration of AI training across all levels — from primary and secondary schools to the over 200 universities and colleges across the country.
