Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has hosted the 5th International Conference on Reading Research and Practice with the theme “Reading Research and Practice: The Implication of Artificial Intelligence.”
The four-day event, organised by the Nigeria Centre for Reading Research and Development (NCRRD), was held from October 5 to 8, 2025, and attracted academics, researchers, policymakers, and education experts from within and outside Nigeria.
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa, described Artificial Intelligence (AI) as both an opportunity and a challenge to education.
He said AI was reshaping reading instruction and research by changing the way teachers teach, students learn, and knowledge is shared. Musa added that the conference would examine how AI could be integrated into early-grade reading, particularly within Nigeria’s multilingual education system.
He also said the meeting would explore ways digital tools could enhance literacy and improve learning outcomes nationwide.
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Director of Research and Development, Mr. Ismaila Adedigba, highlighted the growing role of AI in research and reading.
Maida said AI-powered tools assist students in summarising materials, identifying key arguments, and improving comprehension.
He noted that studies had shown improvements in reading efficiency among students using AI-assisted platforms but cautioned that ethical issues such as authorship, data integrity, and academic honesty must be addressed.
Maida called for the promotion of AI literacy, development of local language AI models, and enforcement of strong ethical standards.
“This is the AI future we must shape — human-centered and inclusive — where technology becomes a bridge to shared knowledge and opportunity,” he said.
Presenting the first lead paper, the Director-General of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Prof. Sadiya Sani Daura, discussed how AI could help address challenges in teaching reading in Nigeria.
She said AI-based platforms could analyse reading patterns and provide personalised feedback to teachers and learners but warned that poor infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and ethical concerns could impede progress.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Laminu Mele, who presented the second lead paper, described AI as a “game-changer” in reading education.
He said AI could personalise learning and enhance comprehension but warned that overreliance on technology might weaken critical thinking and reading skills. He advised that AI should be used to support teachers, not replace them.
Earlier, the Director of NCRRD, Prof. Amina Adamu, expressed concern over the misuse of AI by students and the lack of awareness among teachers and parents regarding its ethical application.
She called for stronger collaboration among educators, parents, and policymakers to ensure the responsible use of AI in education.