Olukoyede Tasks Universities On Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Ethical, Financial Management

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on universities across the country to urgently integrate Artificial Intelligence, AI, into their ethical and financial management systems as a transformative tool to combat corruption, enhance accountability and restore public trust.

Olukoyede made the call in Kano on Tuesday April 28, 2026 in a Keynote Address at the opening ceremony of the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria, COPSUN.

Describing AI as a necessary defence,” the EFCC boss warned that the Nigerian university system cannot afford to be left behind in the global shift toward technology-driven governance.

The EFCC Chairman noted that Nigerian universities manage multi-billion-naira budgets, tuition fees, TETFund interventions, and research grants, yet accountability issues persist.

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“The EFCC has investigated cases involving inflated contracts, ghost workers, and diverted students’ fees in tertiary institutions across the federation. Each case represented not only a loss of public funds but also a betrayal of the trust that Nigerian parents, students, and taxpayers have placed in the university system”

“A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future accountants and auditors, and one that tolerates fraud cannot produce the ethical professionals our economy needs. The university’s integrity is thus a matter of national security, and AI offers transformative tools to defend it”, he said

The anti graft czar outlined specific areas where AI can strengthen ethical and financial management. These include, fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll integrity, procurement oversight, and academic integrity.

He cited notable operations where AI proved decisive at the EFCC such as “Operation Eagle Flush (December 2024) where the EFCC arrested 792 suspects including 193 foreign nationals (114 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kazakhs, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian) in a seven-storey building in Victoria Island, Lagos. The syndicate operated cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.”

Olukoyede urged university governing councils to act decisively by adapting AI technologies to day-to-day running of their systems

“I will recommend that you establish an AI and Digital Governance Committee within each Governing Council to drive responsible AI adoption. Create a Digital Integrity Strategy for finance, academic, and data protection within your institutions. Invest in digital infrastructure, broadband, cybersecurity, and cloud systems”, he said.

He also called for partnership with the EFCC and other agencies for joint training and intelligence exchange, and for adoption of an AI Code of Ethics to safeguard privacy, prevent bias, and protect academic freedom.

Although Olukoyede strongly pointed to the technological leeway AI tools are capable of offering universities, he cautioned that technology alone is not enough. “No matter how sophisticated the technology might be, its effectiveness ultimately depends on the integrity of the human beings who will utilise the tools. AI will therefore not work magic for the ivory towers if the integrity deficit that is palpable among the workforce is not addressed”, he said.

Olukoyede Tasks Universities On Use Of Artificial Intelligence

He also warned of potential downsides, including over‑reliance eroding professional judgement, loss of institutional autonomy, and cybersecurity risks from weak data stewardship.

“The fight against corruption is a national project that depends on the integrity of every institution, especially our universities.

The EFCC is ready to collaborate with you in training and intelligence sharing in the unwavering belief that integrity will lead Nigeria to greatness and transparency. This is possible. It is achievable”, he said.

FG Applauds Saudi Arabia For 50-Students Petroleum Scholarship Offer, Reaffirms Strong Bilateral Ties

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for offering fully funded scholarships to 50 Nigerian students in petroleum and mineral studies, describing the gesture as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital development and a testament to the enduring bilateral relationship between both nations.

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the commendation while receiving the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Monday, 27 April, 2026.

Speaking during the meeting, the Minister expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the scholarship initiative, noting that it aligns with the Federal Government’s priority to strengthen critical sectors of the economy through capacity building. “This is not just a scholarship programme; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, particularly in key sectors such as petroleum and solid minerals that are central to our economic growth and diversification,” the Minister stated.

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He highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that the programme is expected to be sustained annually, thereby creating a long-term impact. “The fact that this initiative is designed to be continuous, with 50 Nigerian students benefiting year after year, makes it even more impactful. It guarantees a steady pipeline of skilled professionals for our critical industries,” he said.

Idris further assured Ambassador Al-Balawi of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and to fast-tracking existing agreements between the two countries. “We are committed as a government to deepening this partnership and ensuring that all existing agreements, including the pending Memoranda of Understanding in broadcasting and other sectors, are fully implemented for mutual benefit,” he said.

The Minister also used the occasion to convey Nigeria’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, expressing hope for peace and stability. “Let me also take this opportunity, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to express our solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this time of tensions in the Gulf region. We sincerely hope for continued peace, stability, and diplomatic resolution of all issues,” he stated.

Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Al-Balawi conveyed the Saudi leadership’s appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his show of solidarity, noting that it reflects the strength of relations between the two nations.

He announced that the scholarship offer was conveyed through an official communication from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and that the package includes tuition, travel tickets, accommodation, and monthly stipends. “This initiative reflects the genuine and strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. It is about real cooperation and real investment in the future of Nigerian youth,” Ambassador Al-Balawi said.

Saudi Arabia

Ambassador Al-Balawi also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, describing Nigeria and Saudi Arabia as key regional economic powers with vast partnership potential.

Those present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; the Director, Public Communications and National Orientation, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike, the Director, Production, Publications and Documentary, Mr. Okunnu Ibidapo; the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, alongside other senior officials of the Ministry.

Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr

Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

27th April, 2026

Tinubu Government inaugurates 2MW Solar Project Worth N3.8b At Kano University

Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology [Credit: NewsWireNGR]
The federal government, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), on Friday inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony of a 2-megawatt solar hybrid project worth N3.8 billion at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, in Kano State.

The project, under the flagship Renewed Hope Solarisation project of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, also witnessed the commissioning of 200 solar-powered streetlights within the institution.

The director-general of the Commission, Mustapha Abdullahi, alongside the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu-Udeh (SAN), carried out the groundbreaking ceremony at the university.

Mr Abdullahi said contractors handling the project had been given a mandate of three months to complete the work.

He said the project was designed to provide sustainable energy generation for the institution and address its monthly electricity expenses of N22.4 million.

“Today’s groundbreaking at Wudil follows our ceremony at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in September 2025, where a 4MW system is being installed, and last week’s groundbreaking at Bayero University Kano.

“Each project is a standalone delivery and a building block in a national programme covering hospitals and tertiary institutions in all 36 states and the FCT.

“The contract for this project, worth N3.8 billion, has been awarded to Safiatu Global Resources Limited with a firm three-month completion mandate, no variation in contract sum, and full accountability under the Commission’s project monitoring framework,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi said every groundbreaking under the programme is preceded by rigorous technical work, including energy audits, load assessments, site surveys, and system design.

According to him, “Our team arrived on this campus with that precise mandate, and the findings were unambiguous. ADUSTECH is home to a combined population of 24,339 persons: 2,462 staff, and hostel facilities providing 5,200 bed spaces.

“Against that scale of activity, the assessed actual energy demand on this campus ranges between 12.3 and 16.4 megawatts. Yet the total connected load on utility records stands at only 8.26 megawatts, a figure that already exceeds what the grid reliably delivers.”

He noted that the institution spends an average of N22.4 million every month on electricity bills, while its entire on-site diesel backup capacity amounts to a mere 2.07 megavolt-amperes.

“This is the energy reality that confronts a university of this mandate and ambition. It is unacceptable, and it is what we are here to begin addressing.”

He said that based on the full load profile and the 59 hectares of available land identified within a 2.5-kilometre radius of the campus, the Energy Commission’s technical recommendation is a 7-megawatt solar mini-grid as the complete solution for energy needs.

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Also speaking, Mr Tochukwu-Udeh, said the installation of the 2MW project in the institution is not an act of philanthropy, but a strategic national policy and national action under the Renewed Hope Solarization project.

Kano University

He said the federal government is making these investments because it believes in what the institution and others are doing in terms of groundbreaking innovations to provide solutions to the most pressing challenges faced by Nigerians.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Musa Tukur-Yakasai, said the landmark event represents not just an infrastructural milestone but a bold step towards sustainable energy, innovation, and academic excellence.

Mr Tukur-Yakasai said the intervention is a significant step in strengthening the institution’s academic and research capacity.