Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI), clearly but arguably, has emerged as a transformative force across
various sectors of national economies, with education being one of the most affected. In tertiary
education, AI technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, research, and institutional
management. This paper examines the role of AI in tertiary education and its contribution to
national development in Nigeria. Drawing on relevant literature, the paper discusses conceptual
perspectives of AI, its applications in Nigeria tertiary institutions, and the link between AI-driven
education and national development. It further highlights challenges limiting effective AI adoption
and proposes strategies for leveraging AI to achieve sustainable national development. The paper
concludes that while AI offers significant opportunities for improving educational quality and
national productivity, deliberate policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and capacity
building are essential for its successful integration in Nigeria's tertiary education system.

Keywords

How to Cite