NSUK Hosts 28th ASSEREN National Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education
Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, hosted the 28th Annual National Conference of the Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria (ASSEREN), bringing together leading scholars, researchers, policymakers and education stakeholders from across the country to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
Held at the University Multipurpose Hall, the conference was themed “Engaging Artificial Intelligence in Educational Research and Assessment,” providing a platform for robust discussions on the opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations surrounding the integration of AI into teaching, learning, research and educational evaluation.
Declaring the conference open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of NSUK, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Dean of the Postgraduate School, Professor Abdullahi Adamu Sulaiman, described the conference theme as both timely and relevant, given the rapid pace of technological advancement across the globe.
He observed that Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of modern society and holds tremendous potential for transforming educational research and assessment. However, he stressed that its adoption must be guided by ethical principles, transparency, fairness and accountability.
Professor Sulaiman emphasized that AI should serve as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human intelligence, creativity and professional judgment. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to promoting excellence in teaching, research and innovation while expressing confidence that the conference would generate practical recommendations capable of strengthening educational policy and practice in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Professor Isaac Kukwi, noted that Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality that is reshaping educational systems worldwide. He stated that the conference was designed to critically examine both the immense opportunities and the emerging ethical, legal and data privacy concerns associated with AI deployment in education.
The National President of ASSEREN, Dr. Ihekwaba Chinyere, commended the management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, for hosting the national conference and for the warm hospitality extended to participants. She explained that the conference aimed to foster national dialogue on AI-driven educational research, encourage innovative methodologies and strengthen collaboration among researchers, while promoting equity and inclusiveness in the digital era.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor U. S. Gbari, and the Head of the Department of Educational Foundations, Dr. J. M. Adikwo, underscored the need for educational institutions to embrace the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence while safeguarding academic integrity, research ethics and data privacy.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Amos Iliya of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), who spoke on the topic, “Using Emerging Artificial Intelligence Tools in Educational Research and Assessment.”
Dr. Iliya highlighted the transformative impact of AI on educational research, noting that emerging AI tools have significantly improved data analysis, enhanced research accuracy and enabled the identification of complex patterns within large datasets. He, however, cautioned against potential risks such as algorithmic bias, limited transparency and threats to data privacy.
To ensure responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence in education, the keynote speaker recommended the introduction of comprehensive AI literacy programmes for staff and students, the development of clear institutional policies on AI usage, the strengthening of research ethics frameworks, regular monitoring of AI tools to ensure fairness and accountability, as well as sustained investment in digital infrastructure to bridge existing technological gaps.
The conference concluded with a shared commitment among participants to promote the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in education, emphasizing that while technology will continue to shape the future of learning and research, human creativity, critical thinking and ethical judgment must remain at the heart of educational development.
The successful hosting of the 28th ASSEREN National Conference further reinforces Nasarawa State University, Keffi’s growing reputation as a centre of academic excellence, innovation and intellectual leadership, providing a platform for national conversations on emerging issues shaping higher education and sustainable development.
©️ Information and Protocol Unit, 2026.
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
