AI Cannot Replace Teachers, Says Mbah at NUT Conference in Enugu

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has declared that AI cannot replace teachers in Nigerian classrooms, emphasising instead that artificial intelligence will serve as a powerful tool to make educators more effective. Speaking on Tuesday at the 59th National Conference of Delegates of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) held in Enugu, the governor addressed thousands of educators gathered from across the federation, delivering a message that resonated deeply with a profession often anxious about technological disruption.

The conference, themed around the future of teaching in a digital age, provided the perfect platform for Mbah to articulate his administration’s vision for education reform. His remarks come at a critical moment when schools across Nigeria — from Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Maiduguri — are grappling with how to integrate emerging technologies without losing the human element that defines quality education.

Governor Mbah’s Vision for Technology-Enhanced Teaching

Mbah, who has positioned Enugu as a hub for innovation and human capital development since assuming office, spoke candidly about the role of artificial intelligence in modern pedagogy. “Let me be clear,” he told the delegates, “artificial intelligence cannot replace teachers. What it can do — what it must do — is amplify your impact, reduce administrative burden, and give you more time to do what you do best: teach, mentor, and inspire.”

The governor’s stance reflects a growing consensus among education policymakers across Africa. In Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa, similar messages have emerged from education ministries: technology as enabler, not substitute. This perspective is particularly vital in Nigeria, where the teacher-to-pupil ratio in many public schools remains far above UNESCO recommendations, and where educators often shoulder responsibilities far beyond classroom instruction.

Mbah outlined specific ways AI tools could support Nigerian teachers. Automated grading for objective assessments, personalised learning pathways for students at different proficiency levels, and early identification of learning gaps through data analytics — these applications, he argued, would free teachers to focus on higher-order engagement: critical thinking exercises, creative projects, and the socio-emotional guidance that no algorithm can provide.

Addressing Teacher Anxiety in the Digital Age

The fear of displacement is real and understandable. Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, teachers have watched as automation transforms banking, manufacturing, and even journalism. The question “will a robot take my job?” has moved from science fiction to staff room conversation. Mbah acknowledged this anxiety directly, validating teachers’ concerns while reframing the narrative.

“Every major technological shift in history — from the printing press to the internet — was met with similar fears,” he noted. “Yet each time, the profession adapted, evolved, and emerged stronger. The teacher who embraces AI as a collaborator will always be more valuable than the one who resists it or the one who hopes it goes away.”

This message aligns with findings from UNESCO’s 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report, which emphasised that technology’s impact on education depends entirely on how it is governed and deployed. The report warned against “solutionism” — the belief that technology alone can fix systemic challenges — while highlighting cases where well-integrated digital tools improved learning outcomes in low-resource settings.

Enugu’s Model: From Policy to Practice

Mbah’s administration has backed rhetoric with investment. Since 2023, Enugu State has rolled out a comprehensive digital literacy programme for teachers, partnering with local edtech startups and international organisations to provide training in AI-assisted lesson planning, digital assessment tools, and virtual classroom management. Over 12,000 teachers have completed the first phase of training, with a target of 25,000 by 2027.

The state has also equipped 350 public schools with smart classroom infrastructure — interactive displays, reliable internet connectivity, and device libraries for students. Crucially, the deployment follows a “teacher-first” principle: no technology enters a classroom until the assigned teacher has demonstrated competency in its pedagogical application.

“We are not dumping tablets in schools and calling it innovation,” Mbah said. “We are investing in the professional capacity of our teachers to wield these tools with intention and skill. That is the Enugu model.”

NUT Leadership Responds: Cautious Optimism

Comrade Titus Amba, National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, welcomed the governor’s position while urging sustained commitment. “We have heard promises before,” Amba told delegates after Mbah’s address. “What makes this different is the specificity — the training targets, the infrastructure rollout, the teacher-first approach. We will hold the government accountable to these benchmarks.”

The NUT leadership also raised critical implementation questions. How will rural schools with erratic power supply benefit? What about teachers nearing retirement who may struggle with digital upskilling? How will the programme be funded sustainably beyond political cycles? These concerns reflect the lived realities of educators in states like Zamfara, Ebonyi, and Bayelsa, where infrastructure deficits compound the challenges of digital integration.

Mbah responded by announcing a dedicated Education Technology Fund, seeded with ₦5 billion from the state’s 2026 budget and structured to attract matching grants from development partners. The fund will prioritise solar-powered digital hubs in off-grid communities and provide stipends for teachers undergoing advanced certification in educational technology.

Lessons from Across the Continent

Nigeria is not navigating this transition in isolation. Ghana’s “One Teacher, One Laptop” initiative, launched in 2021, has distributed over 300,000 devices coupled with mandatory ICT training. Early evaluations show improved lesson preparation and record-keeping, though classroom integration remains uneven. Kenya’s Digital Literacy Programme, despite procurement controversies, established a foundation for the Competency-Based Curriculum’s technology strand.

South Africa’s experience offers a cautionary tale. The Gauteng Department of Education’s paperless classroom project, launched with fanfare in 2015, faced criticism for prioritising hardware over teacher development. By 2022, many devices sat unused in storage rooms — a stark reminder that technology without pedagogy is waste.

Rwanda presents a more hopeful model. The Mastercard Foundation’s Leaders in Teaching initiative, combined with the government’s ICT in Education Master Plan, has created a pipeline of digitally fluent educators who now mentor peers. Student performance in STEM subjects has shown measurable improvement in participating schools.

The Human Element: Why AI Cannot Replace Teachers

Throughout his address, Mbah returned to a central theme: the irreducible human dimensions of teaching. “An algorithm can detect that a student is struggling with fractions,” he said. “It cannot detect that the same student hasn’t eaten since yesterday, or that she’s caring for younger siblings while her mother is ill, or that he’s being bullied on the way to school. Only a teacher sees the whole child.”

This insight resonates with research from the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education, which identifies “relational pedagogy” — the trust, empathy, and cultural attunement between teacher and learner — as the strongest predictor of student engagement in African contexts. No current or foreseeable AI system can replicate the nuanced, context-aware responsiveness of a skilled teacher embedded in their community.

Moreover, teachers in Nigeria often serve as de facto social workers, career counsellors, and community leaders. In many rural areas, the school teacher is the most educated person in the village, a role model for girls considering secondary education, and a mediator in local disputes. These functions, deeply woven into the social fabric, lie entirely outside AI’s domain.

Preparing for 2027 and Beyond

As Nigeria approaches the next electoral cycle, education stakeholders are watching to see whether Enugu’s approach becomes a template for federal policy. The Federal Ministry of Education’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan includes a pillar on “Digital Transformation of Teaching and Learning,” but implementation has been slow, hampered by coordination challenges between federal, state, and local authorities.

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has signaled intent to scale teacher digital literacy programmes nationwide, with a pilot phase targeting 50,000 teachers in 2026. However, funding remains uncertain amid competing priorities and the ongoing naira volatility that affects budget execution across all sectors.

Mbah urged his fellow governors to treat teacher development as infrastructure — as essential as roads and power. “You cannot build a knowledge economy with an analogue teaching force,” he argued. “The return on investment in teacher quality compounds across generations. The cost of neglect compounds even faster.”

Practical Steps for Teachers Today

For the classroom teacher in Ibadan, Aba, or Gusau wondering what this means for Monday morning, Mbah offered concrete guidance:

• Start small: Experiment with free AI tools like ChatGPT for lesson plan ideation, quiz generation, or differentiating reading materials for mixed-ability classes.
• Join professional learning communities: WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, and subject association forums where teachers share AI prompts and pedagogical strategies.
• Advocate for training: Use NUT structures to demand structured, compensated professional development in educational technology from state governments.
• Document and share: Record what works and what doesn’t. The evidence base for AI in African classrooms is still being built; teacher practitioners are its primary authors.
• Protect your core: Remember that your authority comes from your relationship with learners, not your technological fluency. Use AI to deepen, not replace, that relationship.

FAQ: AI and the Future of Teaching in Nigeria

Will AI eventually replace teachers in Nigerian schools?

No. Governor Mbah and education experts across Africa agree that AI cannot replace teachers. The human elements of teaching — empathy, cultural context, mentorship, socio-emotional support, and community leadership — are irreducible. AI will augment, not substitute, the teaching profession.

What AI tools are currently available for Nigerian teachers?

Free and low-cost tools include ChatGPT for lesson planning and content creation, Khan Academy for supplementary materials, Google Classroom for assignment management, and various AI-powered assessment platforms. Many require only a smartphone and data connection.

How can teachers in rural areas with poor internet access benefit?

Offline-first solutions are emerging: pre-loaded content on solar-powered tablets, SMS-based learning platforms, and community digital hubs with periodic connectivity. Enugu’s model prioritises solar-powered hubs for off-grid communities, a approach other states are studying.

Is the government providing training for teachers to use AI?

Enugu State has trained over 12,000 teachers since 2023. UBEC has announced a national pilot for 50,000 teachers in 2026. NUT is advocating for structured, compensated training across all states. Teachers should engage their state chapters to demand access.

What about the cost of devices and data for teachers?

This remains a significant barrier. Ghana’s “One Teacher, One Laptop” model (subsidised devices with payroll deduction) is being studied. Enugu’s Education Technology Fund includes device subsidies. Teachers should negotiate through NUT for similar provisions in their states.

Source: Premium Times Nigeria

Related Reading

• Why the One Laptop per Child Dream Faltered: Lessons for 2026 and Beyond
• Can AI for Everyday Life Fix Everyday Problems Before It Saves the World?
• Why Big Brother Naija Is Losing the Plot with Nigerian Viewers