How we are preparing our students for the opportunities, challenges of AI-driven world —Adenike Kuku

Professor Adenike Kuku, vice chancellor, Kings University, Odeomu, Osun State, speaks with ADEOLU ADEYEMO on the progress the university has made in the past one decade and it has impacted the Nigerian society.

THERE is growing concern that obtaining a university degree does not automatically guarantee employment. What has Kings University done to ensure that its graduates acquire marketable skills that will make them employable and equip them to become employers of labour?

We recognise that, in today’s economy, a degree certificate is important, but it is not always sufficient on its own. Graduates must also possess practical, digital, communication, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills to succeed in the workplace or establish sustainable businesses.

For this reason, our approach to education goes beyond the classroom. We emphasise entrepreneurship education, employability skills, leadership, innovation and the ability to identify problems and develop practical solutions.

Our annual Entrepreneurship Day is one of the platforms through which we expose students to successful entrepreneurs and encourage them to see enterprise creation as a viable career pathway.

In 2025, we recognised Dr Victoria Adunola Samson, Chief Executive Officer of BOVAS Group, as the university’s first Entrepreneurship Ambassador. Her professional journey provides students with an example of enterprise development, perseverance and value creation.

In 2026, we also recognised Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, popularly known as Mama Nike, a renowned Nigerian artist, textile designer and cultural icon.

Through this initiative, we seek to inspire entrepreneurial thinking and encourage our students to explore opportunities for innovation and wealth creation.

We are equally strengthening students’ preparation for the world of work through career development programmes, soft-skills training, professional engagement and opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners. These activities are coordinated annually by the Directorate of Advancement, Linkages and Collaborations.

Our ultimate goal is to produce graduates who are not only qualified for employment but can also create opportunities for themselves and others.

Does Kings University have partnerships with industries, professional bodies and employers? If so, how far do these partnerships extend?

Yes, engagement with industry, professional bodies and the wider business community is an important part of our institutional development strategy. We recognise that universities cannot operate in isolation from the professional and economic environments in which their graduates will work.

We maintain professional relationships with various organisations, and nearly every department within the university has established training or preparatory relationships with organisations that provide students with additional industry-related experience.

Our annual Entrepreneurship Day also provides opportunities for students to interact with successful business leaders and gain practical insights into enterprise development.

Going forward, we intend to deepen these relationships and translate them into more structured collaborations, including internships, practical training, research partnerships, mentorship, professional certification and employment opportunities for our graduates.

We believe that stronger collaboration between the university and industry will help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace requirements while improving our graduates’ competitiveness.

Compared with when you assumed leadership of Kings University, how would you assess the institution’s visibility, and how has this translated into improved student enrolment and graduate employment?

Institutional visibility is important because it influences public confidence, attracts prospective students, creates opportunities for collaboration and helps employers become more familiar with the quality and capabilities of an institution’s graduates.

In recent years, we have increasingly utilised the internet and social media for publicity, information dissemination and public engagement. These platforms have helped us communicate our programmes, activities and achievements to a wider audience.

Furthermore, the maiden Kings University Interdisciplinary Conference has contributed to presenting the university as an institution committed not only to teaching but also to research, innovation and solutions to societal challenges.

The conference attracted researchers from other institutions and representatives of industry, both within and outside Nigeria. This has helped strengthen the university’s academic visibility and create opportunities for collaboration.

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One measurable outcome has been the steady increase in student enrolment over the years.

Regarding graduate employment, our focus is on strengthening the quality of our graduates, improving their practical skills and expanding professional relationships that can create opportunities for them.

While increased visibility helps employers become more familiar with the university, our continuing priority is to ensure that our graduates possess the competencies required to succeed in the labour market.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education and the workplace, while concerns about its ethical use continue to grow. How are you preparing your lecturers and students for an AI-driven economy and its challenges?

Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, research and the workplace, and we recognise that our students must be prepared to work confidently and responsibly in this changing environment.

Our approach is to encourage informed engagement with emerging technologies while ensuring that academic integrity, critical thinking, accountability and human judgement remain central to education.

In February 2025, the university hosted a symposium on the ethical use of artificial intelligence within the academic community. The event reflected our recognition that AI offers significant opportunities for learning, research, productivity and innovation, but its use must be guided by appropriate ethical principles.

We want our lecturers and students to understand not only how AI tools can be used but also their limitations. These include the risks of inaccurate information, algorithmic bias, plagiarism, privacy breaches and excessive dependence on automated systems.

Our interdisciplinary research activities also encourage engagement with AI and digital transformation as tools for addressing real-world challenges.

Ultimately, our objective is to prepare graduates who can adapt to technological changes, use digital tools effectively and exercise sound judgement in their professional and personal decisions.

 What is the current accreditation status of the academic programmes offered by Kings University?

Kings University remains committed to maintaining the quality and credibility of its academic programmes through compliance with the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the relevant professional and regulatory bodies.

All the courses we offer have been approved by the National Universities Commission, and our academic programmes have received the necessary regulatory approvals and accreditation from the relevant regulatory and professional bodies.

As part of our commitment to academic excellence, we will continue to ensure that our programmes meet the required standards and remain relevant to the needs of students, employers and society.

Your university has been graduating students for several years. What structures or initiatives does the university have to support graduates beyond graduation, particularly in career development, employment and entrepreneurship?

We believe that a university’s relationship with its graduates should extend beyond graduation. Our responsibility includes preparing students for the transition into professional life through career development, employability training, entrepreneurship education and engagement with experienced professionals.

In March 2026, we scheduled a two-day Career Development Programme to strengthen students’ career planning, mentorship, networking and workplace readiness.

We also scheduled soft-skills training with Jobberman in April 2026, focusing on communication, teamwork and other transferable skills essential in today’s labour market.

Entrepreneurship remains central to our approach because we want our graduates to explore self-employment and enterprise creation alongside conventional employment opportunities.

We also recognise the need to strengthen alumni engagement by sustaining relationships with graduates, promoting mentorship and professional networking, connecting them with opportunities and learning from their experiences.

Career development and alumni engagement remain important priorities as we strive to produce graduates who can establish themselves professionally and contribute meaningfully to society.

What contributions has the university made to the development of Odeomu, its host community, and Osun State at large?

Kings University’s contribution to Odeomu and Osun State goes beyond the provision of university education. As an institution located within the community, we are part of the social and economic environment in which our students, staff, residents and local businesses interact.

First, the university has awarded scholarships to several students of Odeomu descent. In some cases, this support has extended to feeding and other living expenses throughout their academic programmes at the university.

This intervention has helped beneficiaries pursue higher education while easing some of the financial burdens on their families.

Second, the presence of the university generates economic activity within the host community. Students, employees, visitors and university-related activities create demand for local goods and services, providing business opportunities for traders, service providers and other entrepreneurs in the surrounding community.

Third, the university has provided employment opportunities for indigenes and residents of Odeomu, thereby contributing to the town’s economic development.

The university has also made its premises available for significant charitable activities, including the annual widow-support programme organised by our proprietor, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, and his wife.

Although this initiative is distinct from the university’s own programmes, it reflects the broader relationship between the institution, its founders and the community in which it operates.

In addition, plans are underway to provide career guidance to students in secondary schools in Odeomu and contribute materially to the community’s development.

We believe that a university should be a partner in the development of its host community. As we enter our second decade, we remain committed to strengthening this relationship and exploring further ways to support education, local enterprise, employment and community development.