THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ENHANCING STUDENTS’ ENGAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

This study examined the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing student engagement and academic performance in higher education institutions. Specifically, it assessed the extent to which AI applications promote student engagement, examined the relationship between AI-supported engagement and academic achievement, and identified challenges affecting the effective integration of AI into teaching and learning. A survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised 500 students from the Department of Business Administration and Management at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti and The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. Using a simple random sampling technique, 222 respondents were selected. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Simple percentages were used to answer the research questions, while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) tested the hypotheses. The findings revealed that AI applications significantly enhance student engagement and academic performance. Significant positive relationships were found between AI utilisation and academic performance (r = 0.455, p < 0.001), AI-supported engagement and academic achievement (r = 0.615, p < 0.001), and AI integration and students' academic success (r = 0.565, p < 0.001). The study concluded that AI technologies, including intelligent tutoring systems, adaptive learning platforms, and chatbots, foster personalised, interactive learning experiences that improve engagement and academic outcomes. It recommends regular training and professional development for lecturers to enhance the effective integration of AI into teaching and learning.