The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Professor Umaru Pate, has warned that over 92 million jobs could vanish globally in the next five years due to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking during the university’s 6th to 9th combined convocation ceremony, Pate said while new technologies will create opportunities, only those with the right skills will benefit.
“Latest reports suggest that in the next five years, over 92 million jobs will disappear while 120 million new ones will emerge courtesy of the internet of things, robotics, big data and evolution of Artificial Intelligence,” he said. “Therefore, we need new mindsets, new skills and adjusted cognitive capabilities to be relevant or risk being thrown into an abyss of obscurity.”
Pate stressed that Nigeria must stop preparing students for jobs that are no longer relevant. He said universities need to adopt modern, AI-driven teaching methods to meet global demands.
He stated that FUK is shifting away from training students for jobs that are already being replaced by automation.
According to him, “The existential threat facing us in Nigeria is to accept the fact that oil is no longer the global resource power but knowledge and innovation. Thus, the implication of that is for our universities to respond and lead the change.”
Pate added that innovation can only thrive through functional research centres, equipped labs, critical thinking, and a supportive market environment. “Innovation does not emerge in a vacuum,” he said.
The VC called for increased investment in youth education, noting that young people hold the key to Nigeria’s development. He said education is essential to solving problems like poverty, crime, corruption, and climate change.
He advised graduates to focus on building digital skills and critical thinking. “These are essential for survival in today’s world,” he said.
Professor Pate also acknowledged the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, for delivering the pre-convocation lecture titled *“Medical Science: Past, Present and Future.”* He said the university would incorporate lessons from the lecture into its new medical college curriculum.
He praised the federal government for funding several infrastructure projects at the university, including N4 billion for a new Senate Building, N1.3 billion for a perimeter fence, hostel construction, and equipping science labs.
A total of 6,870 students graduated. Of them, 91 earned First Class Honours, 1,899 obtained Second Class Upper, 3,917 had Second Class Lower, 960 graduated with Third Class, and 3 students earned a Pass degree.
The first cohort of the School of Postgraduate Studies also graduated: 16 earned PhDs, 492 completed Master’s programs, and 76 obtained Postgraduate Diplomas.
Honorary Doctorate Degrees were conferred on Ambassador Lawrence Okolio Chikezie Agubuzu, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, and Dr Kole Shettima.
