The AI Paradox: How Nigerian Students are Navigating the Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence

By her own account, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a lifesaver for Haleemah Rufai, a year one student of Medical Laboratory Science. Her studies include tackling complex equations or algorithms that could take hours to decipher. However, such tasks are seamlessly tackled in seconds by Artificial Intelligence (AI). But AI cannot be trusted blindly all the time, Rufai said as it once gave a wrong formula for a project.

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. The term can also be applied to any machine that exhibits traits associated with a human mind such as learning and problem-solving. AI technology continues to evolve, it is transforming numerous aspects of modern life, from education and healthcare to finance and transportation, and is projected to have a profound impact on the future of work and society as a whole.

For students, the integration of AI in education offers exciting opportunities for personalised learning, greater accessibility, and enhanced engagement. It’s a valuable tool for academic and research assistance. It can quickly provide relevant information, sources, and data, saving time and effort, and can assist with writing tasks, such as suggesting alternative phrases, correcting grammar and spelling errors, and even generating content.

Speaking with Campus Reporter, Zainab Abdul-Azeez, a 400-level Nigerian undergraduate, admitted that AI has become an indispensable tool in her academic journey. When faced with the daunting task of writing essays, AI proves to be a reliable companion, generating outlines and organising her thoughts with ease. 

Abdul-Azeez knows that relying solely on AI can lead to shallow work. To add depth and substance, she always supplements AI’s assistance with traditional research methods, pouring over books and engaging in discussions. She also recognises that the final product is her responsibility, requiring her own critical thinking and analysis to produce high-quality work.

For Maryam Tijani, a 400-level nursing student,  precision is critical, making AI both a tool and a risk. “Nursing is a field where there is no room for error,” she said. “I use AI to simplify certain concepts or gather initial ideas, but I always validate the information with textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. AI might provide answers quickly, but it does not understand my course material or my professors’ expectations. It can guide you, but it cannot replace the hours of studying needed to master the subject.”

Tijani added that by leveraging AI-powered tools, nursing students can develop critical thinking skills, practice clinical decision-making, and gain hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment.

While AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and others have introduced immense possibilities for academic and research tasks, the debate over its proper use is growing. Tira Fitra, an academic researcher, explained that AI is believed to be able to help humans learn better and achieve educational goals more effectively.

“When AI is present in the education sector, which then raises concerns by educators, it is a challenge that must be faced so that the existence of education continues. The idea that AI will replace teachers is disputed, as many believe that human educators and AI systems can work together to create a more effective learning environment.”

Mutiat Ogunrinde, the Head of Department, Mathematical and Computer Sciences and a Senior Career Researcher at Fountain University, believes AI is a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human effort. “AI is here to complement our work, not replace it,” she said. “Students should use AI as a guide and always verify its outputs. Citations generated by AI are sometimes correct and accurate, but students must double-check references to avoid academic errors.”

Meanwhile, Abass Okandeji, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, expressed concern about the ethical implications of AI in academia. 

“The biggest issue is plagiarism,” he argued. “AI tools often replicate existing data, and students copy and paste without proper citation. This compromises originality and academic integrity. Another alarming problem is fabricated citations. Artificial Intelligence sometimes generates fake journal articles or Digital Object Identifiers DOIs, which can mislead students. We need to teach them how to verify AI-generated content and use it ethically.”

For Dr. Ridwan Kolawole, a lecturer at University of Ibadan, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword. “AI is like having a second brain, it can provide support, but it can’t replace your own thinking. The problem is that students are now relying solely on AI, ignoring other sources of information. This is dangerous for academia. AI-generated citations are often fake, and if you don’t read widely, you won’t even notice these errors”. 

Dr. Kolawole added that many AI tools fabricate citations, and students who do not read widely cannot identify these errors.  The lecturer encouraged students to adopt a balanced approach. 

“Students should use AI as one of many tools. Books, journals, and group discussions are still irreplaceable. Critical thinking and extensive reading are what differentiate a good student from one who just scrapes by. AI can assist you, but it’s not a shortcut to academic success,” he said.