By: Peace Udugba
APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Warns Against AI Misuse in Academia, Calls for Responsible Tech Governance
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has raised concerns over the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools by students to complete academic projects, warning that the trend threatens the integrity, originality, and intellectual depth of scholarly work.
Senator Basiru, a former federal lawmaker and legal scholar, made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 12th Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe Memorial Lecture, organized by the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch.
Speaking on the theme, “Tech Governance in 2025: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility,” the UNILAG alumnus emphasized that although technology has revolutionized education, governance, and daily life, its misuse—particularly in academic settings—raises serious ethical concerns.
“Technology must be harnessed responsibly. While it enhances efficiency, innovation without regulation could undermine democracy, compromise security, and deepen social inequalities,” Basiru stated.
He criticized the increasing reliance on AI in academic work, arguing that it undermines the emotional and intellectual rigor that defines genuine scholarship.
“Students are now using AI to write their academic projects. The emotional and human touch of scholarship cannot be replaced by machines. Responsible use of technology must begin in our classrooms,” he warned.
On electoral reforms, Senator Basiru commended the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as a positive step toward electoral transparency. However, he cautioned against rushing into electronic voting, citing infrastructure, literacy, and cybersecurity limitations.
“No responsible government should sacrifice electoral credibility for the speed of technology. Introducing e-voting without adequate preparation would be reckless,” he said.
He also raised the alarm on the threats posed by misinformation, fake news, and deepfakes in the digital space, urging proactive regulation by both government and private sectors.
“The risks of unregulated tech use are real—from cybercrime to data breaches and deepfakes. Governance must be proactive to safeguard national security and protect citizens,” he added.
The lecture honoured the late Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, celebrated for his contributions to technology and academia.
