When Professor Abubakar Mu’azu, a senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, reflects on Artificial Intelligence (AI), he speaks with rare clarity — a mixture of curiosity and caution. For him, AI is neither a monster nor a miracle; it is a human creation whose power depends entirely on who controls it and for what purpose.
In his widely discussed essay “My Thoughts on AI,” Professor Mu’azu presents what he calls “eight points of departure” — a framework that challenges the hype around machine intelligence and the rush to automate human life. His first and most striking point reads: “AI is not intelligent.”
To him, this statement is not a rejection of science, but a reminder that AI is a mathematical invention — not a conscious being. “It is a tool to be used intelligently,” he insists, warning that machines only appear smart because humans built them to behave that way. AI does not understand context, morality, or emotion; it simply follows patterns coded into its systems.
This view aligns with findings from Brookings Institution (2024), which noted that while AI can outperform humans in speed and precision, it cannot interpret meaning or ethics. Its “intelligence” is limited to the data it receives and the algorithms that process it. In short, it knows how but never why.
According to Professor Mu’azu, the danger lies in the illusion of intelligence — when societies begin to trust algorithms more than human judgment. He argues that AI must remain under human control, because its creators are not always motivated by goodwill. “The companies developing AI are doing so to protect, advance, and sustain their business interests,” he wrote.
That observation resonates globally. A 2025 World Economic Forum report revealed that just 10 multinational corporations — including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI, and Baidu — control over 85 percent of the world’s AI research, patents, and cloud infrastructure. These companies, mostly based in the U.S. and China, decide how AI evolves and where it is deployed.
For developing nations like Nigeria, this concentration of power creates what scholars now call “digital dependency.” It is a modern form of reliance that mirrors the colonial economic systems of the past — only this time, the resource being extracted is data, not oil or minerals.
A Cambridge University paper (2023) described this as digital colonialism, warning that Africa risks becoming a passive consumer of imported technologies instead of an active producer. The study showed that over 80 percent of digital platforms used across Africa are owned by foreign companies that collect and monetize user data offshore, with little return to local economies.
Professor Mu’azu warns that AI could be “deployed to distort, mislead, invent, and distort reality.” His statement points to the rising threat of misinformation, deepfakes, and algorithmic propaganda — digital weapons capable of manipulating elections, rewriting history, or inflaming ethnic tensions.
Indeed, the United Nations Digital Trust Report (2024) predicted that by 2026, nearly 90 percent of online content will be synthetically generated through AI systems. For countries with weak media literacy and low regulatory oversight, this could destabilize democracies and erode public trust in news.
Professor Mu’azu argues that the only way forward is for nations to take ownership of their technological future. “Countries with conscious and committed leadership will build technological capacity, strengthen their security systems, and use AI to innovate and sustain internal production,” he said.
He believes Nigeria has the human talent to rise to that challenge — but it will require deliberate investment in STEM education, local research, and digital governance frameworks. The Statista Global AI Index (2025) currently ranks Nigeria 96th out of 193 countries in AI readiness, showing a widening gap between Africa and leading AI economies such as the U.S., China, and Singapore.
For him, the consequences of inaction are grave. “AI has become the new arena for control, competition, and contest in global life,” he warns. “Laggards will bear the brunt of its consequences.”
That statement encapsulates a growing reality: artificial intelligence is now at the heart of international rivalry — shaping trade, defense, education, and public opinion. The global race for AI dominance is not just about technology; it is about who defines truth, who owns data, and who benefits from innovation.
Yet, Professor Mu’azu’s vision is not entirely bleak. He sees opportunities for Nigeria to use AI in solving local problems — improving agricultural yields through predictive analytics, enhancing healthcare through automated diagnosis, strengthening national security with intelligent surveillance, and expanding education through adaptive learning platforms.
In his lectures, he often reminds students that “the goal is not to reject technology but to understand and humanize it.” His message is that AI must serve people, not the other way around.
As the world moves deeper into the digital age, the reflections of Professor Abubakar Mu’azu echo beyond academia — offering both caution and hope. They remind Nigeria, and indeed the developing world, that true intelligence still lies in human wisdom, moral restraint, and the courage to decide how technology should shape our common future.
Editorial Note
This report was produced by the editorial team at The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World in line with our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism. Information in this article is based on verified sources available at the time of publication. The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World may update the story as new facts emerge or additional context becomes available.
Independent Journalism
Our Independence Is Funded by You — Not Advertisers
The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World accepts zero funding from governments, corporations, or political parties. No advertiser dictates our coverage. No political interest shapes our investigations. The journalism you just read exists because readers like you chose to protect it. Every contribution goes directly into the field — paying reporters, protecting sources, and ensuring the stories that matter get told without fear or favour.
34
Investigations
Funded by Readers
Funded by Readers
316+
Readers Supporting
Us Right Now
Us Right Now
100%
Independent
