…StudyIn Nigeria equips students to be future- ready in AI age
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to redefine the workplace and create new economic opportunities, Lola Olukuewu, certified chief AI officer, has stressed the importance of equipping students with the skills to thrive in the emerging digital era.
Olukuewu, who is the first female certified chief AI officer at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Denmark, noted that learning to innovate with AI is key to unlocking future opportunities.
Speaking during StudyIn Nigeria’s 2026 Global Study Conference, with the theme “Future Ready: Succeeding in an AI-Driven World,” she said such an initiative will position students to become future-ready by promoting AI awareness, innovation, and the practical skills needed to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“Don’t abandon your passion because of AI; rather, evolve it with it; you shouldn’t just consume technology, create with it.
“Being an AI user is a starting point; learning to innovate with it is where the real opportunity lies,” she said.
She warned students not to rely solely on AI, because according to her it will make them become mentally redundant.
“Recent research shows that people who use AI for everything had a 36 percent drop in brain activity and plasticity, among others,” she noted.
To innovate with AI, Olukuewu highlighted five keys such as curiosity, partnering with AI, developing skills, staying adaptable, and building something with AI.
“Becoming creative in thinking, developing soft skills; those skills they don’t teach you in school, such as creative thinking, adaptability, and the ability not to get stuck.
“You have to learn emotional intelligence, communication, the power of collaboration; all these things are what will help you to always remain pliable as the future continues to move,” she said.
Besides, she urged the students to learn to ask AI to explain difficult concepts, and to challenge their ideas, provide different perspectives, and, above all, to use AI to practise.
Asking AI to do all your thinking, and then submitting it to work as your own is not learning. It is outsourcing your brain, and that is very dangerous. “Use AI to become better and not lazier,” she said.
Moreover, she urged the students to begin doing something with AI. “Start small, develop a project, and create a digital product.
“Learn to be adaptable; the technology you learn today may be different from what you use 10 years from now. Your greatest advantage is being willing and able to learn again tomorrow,” she noted.
StudyIn Global Study Conference 2026 took place in Lagos on Saturday, with key highlights on the Future Ready Essay Competition Awards Ceremony, where the organisers recognised the top 15 finalists whose essays explored the topic: “How would studying at an international university help you prepare for a career in a world increasingly shaped by AI?”
Exciting prizes including a MacBook, iPad, and Tablet, among others, were presented to the winners.
There were also expert discussions, an engaging panel on AI and the future of careers, interactive experiences, and conversations around international education opportunities.
Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years. He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team. Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.
