ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT: ENHANCING ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY AND INSTITUTIONAL PRODUCTIVITY IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology that is reshaping higher education by improving administrative processes, decision-making, and institutional productivity. Nigerian universities face persistent administrative challenges, including inefficient record management, slow decision-making, poor resource allocation, weak communication systems, and increasing demands for accountability and quality assurance. These challenges have created the need for innovative technologies that can strengthen institutional governance and operational efficiency. This paper examined the role of AI in educational management, focusing on its potential to enhance administrative efficiency and institutional productivity in Nigerian universities. It discussed the concepts of Artificial Intelligence, educational management, administrative efficiency, and institutional productivity, while highlighting AI applications in university administration such as decision support systems, student information management, admissions, financial and human resource management, quality assurance, research administration, and predictive analytics. The paper argued that effective AI integration can reduce bureaucratic delays, improve service delivery, support evidence-based decision-making, and enhance institutional effectiveness. However, AI adoption in Nigerian universities is constrained by inadequate digital infrastructure, insufficient funding, limited AI expertise, ethical concerns, cybersecurity risks, data privacy issues, and resistance to technological change. To address these challenges, the paper recommends increased government investment in digital infrastructure, the development of institutional AI policies, continuous capacity building for educational administrators, the establishment of ethical guidelines for AI deployment, and stronger collaboration among universities, government agencies, and technology organizations to ensure responsible, effective, and sustainable AI implementation.