Artificial Intelligence expert and Chief Web Advocate at the World Wide Web Foundation, Nnenna Nwakanma, has warned that African universities risk producing graduates unfit for the job market if they fail to reform outdated curricula and address systemic challenges in education.
Speaking at Babcock University’s Founders’ Day lecture in Ogun State, she stated that institutions across the continent remain “overcrowded and under-resourced,” with inadequate funding and high rates of graduate unemployment. She also cautioned that Africa’s ongoing brain drain continues to undermine development.
Nwakanma pointed to Rwanda’s education reforms as an example of how aligning academic training with industry needs could boost employability. She urged universities to “match curriculum with global demands” while embracing innovation to remain relevant.
Babcock’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, in his remarks, stressed that while technology such as AI is reshaping higher education, institutions must ensure that digital platforms do not replace values, identity, and relationships.
