The 19th Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has called for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s university education system, questioning the relevance of courses such as Political Science, Sociology and Public Administration in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The Emir made the remarks in an exclusive interview with S24 Television during activities marking the sixth anniversary of his reign.
He argued that universities and the National Universities Commission (NUC) should review existing academic programmes and consider scaling down some courses in response to changing global realities and the growing influence of technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
kaduna According to him, although disciplines such as Political Science, Sociology and Public Administration were valuable in the past, the changing demands of the modern economy require greater attention to technology-driven skills, entrepreneurship and courses that can prepare graduates to create employment for themselves.
The monarch stressed that Nigerian universities must equip students with practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant rather than depend solely on government or private-sector employment.
He also emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship, urging educational institutions to adopt a new approach that aligns academic training with emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
Exclusive interview by S24: https://www.youtube.com/live/i8t7CFX43BQ?si=tj3tcDCz85zDVXQS
Emir Advocates Preservation of History
Beyond education reform, the Emir called for greater efforts to preserve and document history, particularly the histories of traditional institutions and their communities.
He stressed the importance of recording historical events and experiences to ensure that future generations understand their heritage and the contributions of past leaders.
Emir Reflects on Six Years on the Throne
Reflecting on his six years as Emir of Zazzau, Bamalli said he hopes to be remembered as a just leader who prioritised peace, fairness and the welfare of his people.
He highlighted the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in addressing disputes involving families, land ownership and inheritance as one of the key approaches adopted during his reign.
According to him, resolving such disputes through alternative mechanisms has helped reduce the burden on conventional courts and contributed to decongesting the judicial system.
The Emir said he derives fulfilment from helping people settle disputes peacefully, particularly conflicts that could otherwise lead to prolonged litigation and strained family relationships.
He maintained that promoting justice and resolving disputes within the community remain important aspects of his leadership.
The sixth anniversary of the Emir’s reign provided an opportunity to reflect on his traditional leadership, efforts to promote peaceful dispute resolution and his views on education reform in an era increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence.
