AI Cannot Replace Teachers in Nigerian Schools, Education Experts Insist

The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms may be changing how students learn and teachers deliver lessons, but education stakeholders in Nigeria believe technology cannot take the place of human educators.

The Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) has maintained that despite the increasing adoption of AI-powered learning tools, teachers remain essential to the academic, emotional and personal development of students.

The association made its position known during a press conference held at Greensprings School in Anthony, Lagos, ahead of its 2026 Education Conference scheduled for November 2 and 3 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

The conference, themed “Human First: Leading with AI,” will bring together teachers, school administrators, parents and other education stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in Nigerian schools.

Why Artificial Intelligence Cannot Replace Teachers

Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Bolanle Adewole, explained that artificial intelligence should be regarded as a tool for improving education rather than a threat to the teaching profession.

According to her, while AI can assist with academic activities and make classroom instruction more efficient, it cannot provide the emotional connection, patience and personal guidance that students receive from teachers.

She noted that education goes beyond passing examinations or providing answers to questions. Teachers also help children develop confidence, discipline, social skills and the ability to relate with others.

Adewole encouraged educators to embrace technological developments instead of resisting them, stressing that understanding how AI works would help teachers remain effective in a rapidly changing educational environment.

How AI Can Improve Teaching and Learning in Nigeria

Although concerns remain about the future of teaching jobs, APEN identified several ways artificial intelligence could make a positive difference in schools.

AI-powered tools can help teachers prepare lesson plans, organise teaching materials, develop curricula, assess assignments and produce academic reports.

These applications could reduce the time educators spend on repetitive administrative duties, allowing them to devote more attention to individual students.

For instance, a teacher managing a large classroom could use AI to prepare different learning exercises based on students’ abilities. However, the responsibility for evaluating the accuracy of those materials and deciding how best to teach them would still rest with the educator.

The association also highlighted the importance of training teachers to use emerging technologies responsibly.

APEN Considers AI Platform Designed for Nigerian Schools

Beyond encouraging the use of existing AI tools, APEN disclosed that it was exploring the possibility of developing an artificial intelligence platform specifically designed for Nigeria’s educational environment.

The proposed initiative would focus on providing learning resources and information relevant to Nigerian students and schools.

This is particularly important because many widely used AI systems are developed using information from different parts of the world, which may not always reflect local realities.

A learning platform that understands Nigeria’s curriculum, cultural environment and educational needs could help teachers deliver more relevant classroom experiences.

However, developing such a system would also require careful attention to content accuracy, data privacy and the quality of educational resources.

Teachers Must Adapt to Changing Technology

APEN’s Acting Chairperson, Dr Abimbola Ogundere, explained that the forthcoming education conference would provide opportunities for school owners, educators and parents to better understand the role of AI in modern education.

The event is expected to feature discussions and practical sessions addressing how schools can integrate artificial intelligence without reducing the importance of human interaction.

Other stakeholders at the briefing included APEN Board of Trustees Chairperson Lai Koiki, founding Board of Trustees Chairperson Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya and board member Olufunke Fowler-Amba.

The discussions come at a time when Nigerian educational institutions are increasingly being encouraged to prepare students for a technology-driven future.

Earlier in October, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, also emphasised that emerging technologies could support classroom instruction but could not replace the professional judgement and encouragement provided by teachers.

What the Future of AI in Nigerian Education Could Look Like

As artificial intelligence becomes more accessible, the challenge facing Nigerian schools is no longer simply whether the technology should be used, but how it can be introduced effectively.

Schools will need to consider teacher training, responsible student use, academic integrity and equal access to digital learning resources.

There is also a need to ensure that students continue developing independent thinking and problem-solving skills rather than depending entirely on AI-generated answers.

For teachers, adapting to new technology could create opportunities to improve lesson delivery and provide more personalised support to learners.

Ultimately, the message from education stakeholders is that artificial intelligence should strengthen the work of teachers, not eliminate their role.

The future of education may involve smarter technology, but the human relationship betw

een teachers and students remains an essential part of learning.