As artificial intelligence reshapes how young people learn, work and think, Nigeria’s First Lady says education must remain human at its core.
In her 2026 International Day of Education message on Sunday, Senator Oluremi Tinubu called for sustained investment in quality and inclusive education to better prepare children and youths for national development.
She described education as essential for helping society adapt to a fast-changing global environment driven by innovation and automation.
According to her, education remains the strongest tool for building knowledge, values, creativity and ethical judgment — skills young people will need beyond certificates.
Tinubu stressed that skills- and value-based learning is critical for surviving and thriving in a technology-driven world, urging Nigeria to place education at the centre of its priorities.
Reflecting on the 2026 theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” she warned against allowing technology to outpace human purpose.
“As we embrace artificial intelligence and innovation, we must ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around,” she said.
She added that humans must remain in control of artificial intelligence, using innovation responsibly while protecting the values that sustain development.
“In Nigeria, our priority is to invest in quality, inclusive education that empowers our children and youth to think critically, act responsibly, and embrace the future with confidence and compassion,” Tinubu said.
International Day of Education is observed every January 24 and was proclaimed by the United Nations to highlight education’s role in promoting peace, human rights, development, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction and gender equality.
For students navigating an AI-powered world, the message is clear: technology may shape the future, but education — rooted in values and critical thinking — will determine who truly controls it.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.