The Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) has said artificial intelligence cannot replace teachers or schools, stressing that human connection, emotional support and personal guidance remain essential to effective learning.
The association urged schools to embrace AI as a tool to strengthen teaching, improve efficiency and support students’ development while preserving the human relationships at the heart of education.
APEN stated this at a press conference held at Greensprings School, Anthony, Lagos, ahead of its 2026 Education Conference, scheduled for November 2 and 3 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The conference, themed “Human First: Leading with AI”, will examine how educators and school leaders can adopt emerging technologies while retaining the human values central to teaching and learning.
Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Bolanle Adewole, said educators should see the growing use of AI as an opportunity to improve their work rather than a threat to the teaching profession.
“AI has not come to kill education. On the contrary, I believe AI has come to enhance and support education. We want the students and educators to be efficient in what they do. It teaches faster,” she said.
Adewole maintained that technology could not provide the care, patience, kindness and personal attention students need for their academic, emotional and social development.
“AI for us is human first. For us, we believe that the heart of education is in the human connection. And this is why we know that AI can never replace the teachers,” she added.
According to her, schools in the United States using AI-driven learning systems still retain teachers, whose responsibilities increasingly include guiding students through learning activities and providing individual support.
She explained that teachers remain vital in helping learners navigate personal difficulties and develop the confidence and social skills needed beyond the classroom.
Adewole identified lesson preparation, curriculum development, report writing and assessment as areas where AI could support educators. She said reducing time spent on routine tasks could allow teachers to devote more attention to students.
However, she cautioned against the misuse of the technology, urging educators to understand its capabilities and limitations and acquire the skills required to use it responsibly.
She said the forthcoming conference would address teachers’ concerns about AI and encourage them to review their teaching methods and strengthen their professional competencies.
“We hope that at the end of the conference, people understand how to use AI more efficiently while, at the same time, understanding that they would need to rethink their job but also upgrade themselves in the way that they teach,” Adewole said.
She also disclosed that APEN was exploring the development of an AI platform offering information and educational resources tailored to Nigerian schools and students. Details of its proposed features and implementation were not announced.
Other participants at the briefing included APEN’s founding Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya; the current Board of Trustees Chairperson, Lai Koiki; Acting Chairperson, Dr Abimbola Ogundere; and board member Olufunke Fowler-Amba.
The November conference is expected to bring educators and school leaders together to discuss how AI can strengthen educational delivery while preserving teachers’ roles in mentorship, guidance and students’ overall development.
