The Federal Government has urged Nigerian universities to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies while strengthening regulatory compliance, governance and accountability to improve the quality of higher education.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 retreat of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities in Abuja.

Ahmad said the rapid transformation of higher education through AI, digital learning, data analytics and evolving research models required universities to review their policies and practices to remain competitive globally.

She urged vice-chancellors to promote transparency and accountability in financial management, procurement, recruitment, promotions, admissions and examinations.

According to her, universities must move beyond awarding degrees to become centres of research, innovation, character development and industrial transformation.

In his address, the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, said the commission was strengthening its regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms to improve university education.

Ribadu disclosed that the commission was developing a National AI Roadmap and Policy Framework for the Nigerian University System to guide the adoption of artificial intelligence in higher institutions.

The NUC boss said the commission had introduced post-matriculation monitoring and carrying-capacity visits to universities to improve admission processes.

He added that post-accreditation monitoring visits were being planned to strengthen oversight of academic programmes.

Ribadu, however, identified inadequate funding as a major constraint on university development, urging institutions to explore alternative funding sources through private-sector partnerships, alumni associations and development partners.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and NUC Director of Research, Innovation and Information Technology, L.M. Faruk, said the two-day retreat was designed to strengthen engagement between the commission and university administrators.