A lecturer at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Malam Abdulkadir Danlami, has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not replace lecturers but will instead strengthen their responsibilities as facilitators and mentors in the learning process.
Danlami, who is the Director of Information and Communication Technology at ATBU, made this known during a one-day training workshop on the Distinction Application Learning Platforms organised for academic staff of the university in Bauchi. He explained that AI has already become an integral part of education, influencing how academic content is created, delivered, assessed and continuously improved.
According to him, AI plays a significant role in supporting personalised learning, providing intelligent feedback, improving course design and enhancing lecturers’ understanding of student engagement. He stressed the need for lecturers to move beyond conventional teaching approaches and adopt modern tools that improve teaching efficiency and learning outcomes. Danlami emphasised that AI is not designed to replace lecturers but to complement and reinforce their role in guiding and mentoring students. He described the Distinction App, which was the focus of the workshop, as a practical platform that reflects global trends in digital education.
He further noted that the training was aimed at simplifying course development, making learning more interactive and increasing the overall impact of teaching. The workshop, he added, was designed to build the capacity of lecturers to effectively integrate AI tools into their teaching methods and interactions with students.
Danlami disclosed that the Distinction App was developed by the university’s portal service provider to equip lecturers with AI-driven tools for generating lecture notes, creating quizzes and engaging with students both online and offline. He added that 50 academic staff members from different faculties were selected for the training, explaining that the programme would be conducted continuously to accommodate all lecturers in the institution.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of ATBU, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, described AI as a transformative force in tertiary education, reshaping teaching, learning and innovation. Represented by the University Librarian, Dr. Dauda Bakum, Garba said embracing AI positions ATBU as a leading institution rather than a follower in the digital education space.
He noted that training lecturers as pioneers of Distinction AI adoption would expand its impact across faculties and promote a culture of digital competence within the university. Garba urged participants to fully embrace the training, master the tools and take responsibility for driving AI integration within ATBU, adding that such efforts would help shape the future of tertiary education in Nigeria and beyond.
