THE NEED TO INTRODUCE CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS AND ETHICAL USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MODULES AS GENERAL STUDIES (GST) COURSES INTO NIGERIA TERTIARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM
The rapid digital transformation of Nigeria’s economy and educational institutions has made cybersecurity and the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) more important than ever. However, most Nigerian graduates lack basic training in digital safety and AI responsibility. Integrating Cybersecurity Awareness and AI Ethics into the General Studies (GST) curriculum is now a national imperative.
The reality as at today is that AI has become part of our daily existence and if there is no proper training on the ethical use of AI, its use might be counter productive. At the same, the continuous push to leverage our critical infrastructure on Information Technology might suffer grave threat if there is no proper Cybersecurity Awareness training.
There is no gain saying today that there is increasing Cyber Threats because Nigeria faces rising cyber fraud, identity theft, ransomware, and phishing attacks. While young people, especially students, are both targets and unintentional perpetrators of cybercrime. Also, it must be recognised that Digital Literacy and Cyber Literacy are two different subjects that should not be mistaken as one. Many students know how to use digital tools but lack knowledge on digital hygiene, data privacy, and safe online practices.
We also need Cyber Security Awareness Training for National Security and Economic Development because a digitally secure population supports national resilience, reduces losses in e-commerce, fintech, and public digital infrastructure.
On why Ethics of AI Should be taught, it must be recognised that AI is already in use, from biometric verification and smart surveillance to chatbots and facial recognition, AI is active in Nigerian society. We must also recognise that we face the risk of misuse and bias. AI systems can reflect racial, gender, or socioeconomic bias and without ethics, developers and users may unknowingly create or amplify inequality and even its use in conducting academic activities. It is also necessary for empowering responsible innovation because teaching AI ethics fosters innovation that respects human dignity, privacy, and fairness.
Why include these topics in GST? GST courses are mandatory and cross-disciplinary, reaching all students regardless of their field of study which promotes national digital safety consciousness, builds a foundation for ethical leadership in the digital age and encourages interdisciplinary dialogue about emerging technologies and risks.
Suggested Modules for Cybersecurity Awareness should include but not limited to password hygiene and identity protection, recognizing phishing and social engineering, Secure use of mobile apps and Wi-Fi and Cyberbullying, harassment, and digital ethics while that of AI Ethics should include but not limited to understanding algorithmic bias, Data privacy and surveillance, Accountability and transparency in AI and Human rights in AI deployment. Implementation Strategies can include 2-unit GST compulsory modules each in both Cybersecurity Awareness and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence.
Summarily, introducing Cybersecurity Awareness and AI Ethics into Nigeria’s GST curriculum is essential for developing digitally responsible graduates. It will help build a future-ready workforce, reduce cybercrime, promote ethical innovation, and protect Nigeria’s digital sovereignty.
Boniface Kayode ALESE, PhD is a Professor of Information and Cyber Security at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
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