The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerian universities to embrace Artificial Intelligence as a key tool in improving financial transparency and ethical standards.
He made the call in Kano during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria, stressing that institutions must adapt quickly to evolving technology or risk falling behind globally.
Olukoyede highlighted that universities manage huge financial resources, including tuition, grants, and intervention funds, yet cases of mismanagement and fraud continue to surface.
According to him, investigations by the EFCC have uncovered issues such as inflated contracts, ghost workers, and diversion of funds within tertiary institutions, undermining trust in the system.
He warned that institutions lacking accountability cannot effectively produce professionals with strong ethical values, describing integrity in universities as critical to national development.
The EFCC chairman pointed to Artificial Intelligence as a practical solution, noting that it can be deployed in areas such as fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll verification, procurement monitoring, and academic integrity checks.
He cited past operations where technology played a major role, including a large-scale crackdown on cybercrime networks in Lagos, to show how digital tools can enhance enforcement efforts.
Olukoyede advised governing councils to take concrete steps by creating specialised committees focused on digital governance and integrating AI into institutional frameworks.
He also recommended developing clear strategies around financial management, data protection, and academic processes, supported by investments in digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.
In addition, he encouraged collaboration between universities and enforcement agencies for training, intelligence sharing, and the development of ethical guidelines for AI use.
Despite the benefits, he cautioned that technology alone cannot solve systemic issues, stressing that human integrity remains central to any reform effort.
He further warned about risks such as overdependence on automated systems, potential bias, and vulnerabilities in data management if safeguards are not properly implemented.
Olukoyede concluded that strengthening transparency in universities is vital to the broader fight against corruption, expressing confidence that with the right approach, meaningful change is achievable.