The Bayero University Kano (BUK), on Tuesday hosted the 5th International Conference on Reading Research and Practice, focusing on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the future of reading and education in Nigeria and beyond.

The conference, organized by the Nigeria Centre for Reading Research and Development (NCRRD), brought together education experts, researchers, technology innovators, and policymakers from across the country.

Held under the theme “Reading Research and Practice: The Implication of Artificial Intelligence,” the hybrid event explored how digital innovation, data science, and machine learning can enhance literacy, reading comprehension, and access to learning materials in an increasingly technology-driven world.

In her welcome address, the Director of NCRRD, Professor Amina Adamu, said Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of daily life, impacting various sectors such as finance, entertainment, healthcare, and education.

“The use of AI in our educational sector, and its growing acceptance by students at all levels, is worrisome to parents, stakeholders, and especially teachers,” she said. “The problem is not AI itself but its misuse by students who believe it should generate knowledge for them rather than facilitate learning.”

Professor Amina explained that many students now rely heavily on AI tools, which affects their ability to think critically, conduct independent research, and solve problems creatively.

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“There is little originality in students’ work these days because they depend almost completely on technology to do the thinking for them,” she added. “However, AI is already a part of our daily lives, and ignoring it is not the solution. The best way forward is to understand it and learn to use it responsibly.”

She emphasized the need for teachers, parents, and education stakeholders to understand how AI works and guide students on its proper use.

“Students should know that while AI makes information easily accessible, they must still rely on written materials and in-depth research for deep understanding,” she said. “Teachers and students must work together to manage AI’s challenges and harness its benefits.”

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Professor Haruna Musa, commended NCRRD for organizing the conference and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting research that supports national development.

“It is my distinct honour to serve as your chief host for this significant gathering, convened under the timely and thought-provoking theme on the implications of artificial intelligence for reading and research,” he said.

“The emergence of AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and profound challenges for the field of reading education. This conference provides an essential platform to explore AI’s transformative impact on reading pedagogy, research methodologies, and knowledge development.”

Professor Musa applauded the NCRRD leadership for its dedication to advancing professionalism in education and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. He urged participants—including educators, language teachers, publishers, and librarians—to use the insights from the conference to improve literacy and educational quality in Nigeria.

“I hope your deliberations will be forward-thinking, impactful, and lead to innovative solutions to the challenges facing our reading culture and education system,” he concluded, before officially declaring the conference open.

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SolaceBase reports that one of the lead paper presenters, Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, spoke on the role of AI in reading practice and comprehension in Nigeria.

“Reading is a complex activity and an essential skill for learners at all levels,” he said. “AI can simplify content and enhance learning, but over-reliance on it can weaken students’ ability to think independently. We must therefore find responsible ways to use AI to support, not replace, critical thinking.”

He added that effective use of AI could help address Nigeria’s shortage of language teachers and improve classroom learning if teachers receive proper training on integrating AI tools.

“We should develop AI models tailored to our local languages and contexts, so they can assist teachers and students more effectively,” Professor Mele emphasized.

One of the participants, Basiru Yakubu, called on government agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions to invest in AI-driven reading programs, teacher development, and data systems that can improve reading proficiency across the country.

“This conference is timely and relevant,” Yakubu said. “The knowledge gained here will go a long way in improving how we use AI responsibly to enhance literacy in Nigeria.”