AI Adoption Key to University Integrity – Olukoyede

T The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian universities to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen ethical standards and financial management systems.

Olukoyede made the call during his keynote address at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria, held in Kano.

He described AI as a vital tool in the fight against corruption and for improving accountability, warning that institutions risk falling behind globally if they fail to embrace technology-driven systems.

According to him, universities oversee substantial financial resources, including tuition fees, research grants, and allocations from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, yet continue to face transparency challenges. He noted that investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have revealed cases of inflated contracts, ghost workers, and diversion of funds within tertiary institutions.

Olukoyede stressed that institutions lacking financial integrity cannot effectively produce ethical professionals, describing university governance as a matter of national importance.

He identified several areas where AI can enhance oversight, including fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll verification, procurement monitoring, and academic integrity systems.

The EFCC chairman also urged governing councils to establish digital governance frameworks, invest in critical infrastructure, and adopt ethical guidelines for the responsible use of AI.

While highlighting the benefits of technology, he cautioned that AI alone cannot solve systemic challenges, emphasizing the need for human integrity in ensuring effective implementation.

He reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with universities to strengthen institutional accountability.

Source: X | officialEFCC