Professor James Ejue, a renowned academic don and former provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu, has urged the federal government to invest in reskilling and upskilling Nigerian workers to adapt to the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
According to Ejue, this move would alleviate workers’ fears of being replaced by AI, since skills acquired would make them to remain relevant in the modern job market.
Speaking at the University of Calabar’s 145th Inaugural Lecture, which took place on Wednesday evening, the Department of Guidance and Counselling professor emphasised the need for workers to stay abreast with modern trends to remain relevant.
He said that the government should allocate resources for career transitioning and upskilling among Nigerian workers to prepare them for the AI-driven work environment.
On the belief that (AI) would soon replace teachers in schools, Ejue stated that ( AI ) won’t replace teachers but rather augment teachers’ roles, stressing that teachers who upskill will effectively utilise (AI) in their profession.
On the issue of mental health, the don advocated for mandatory annual mental health evaluations for workers and students to identify and address potential problems early.
On the issue of substance use disorder, Ejue, averred that given the rising concern of substance use disorder globally, he suggested researching its social and contextual factors and identifying effective therapies.
He emphasised involving learners as critical stakeholders in curriculum planning through needs assessments, adding that he aims to promote harmony restoration and prepare Nigerian workers for the future job market.
