Newgate University Minna Develops Framework for Responsible Artificial Intelligence Use
Promoting ethical AI adoption, academic integrity, innovation and digital transformation in higher education.
Newgate University Minna has outlined a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy designed to guide the responsible use, development, procurement and oversight of AI technologies across the University community.
The policy recognises the growing influence of artificial intelligence on teaching, learning, research, creativity and institutional administration. It establishes a common framework for harnessing AI’s benefits while safeguarding academic integrity, personal data, fairness, human judgement and public trust.
Guided by the University’s motto, “Explore to Excel,” the policy emphasises that AI should complement human intelligence rather than replace independent thinking, critical reasoning, creativity and professional judgement.
Building an AI-Ready University
The policy establishes a university-wide approach to AI adoption, covering students, academic and non-academic staff, contractors, consultants, vendors and other individuals who use University systems or data.
Its key objectives include:
- Enhancing teaching and learning through responsible AI applications.
- Developing AI literacy among students and staff.
- Protecting academic integrity and promoting transparency.
- Supporting research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Safeguarding personal, confidential and institutional information.
- Promoting fairness, accessibility and human accountability.
- Guiding the procurement, deployment and oversight of AI systems.
- Encouraging continuous improvement in AI governance and implementation.
Through these objectives, the University seeks to create an environment where AI can support meaningful learning, problem-solving and responsible innovation.
Key Pillars of the AI Policy
1. Ethical and Responsible AI Use
The policy establishes human-centred use, accuracy, transparency, fairness, privacy, accountability and proportionality as core principles.
Users are expected to critically evaluate AI-generated information before relying on it. AI outputs may contain inaccuracies, bias, incomplete information or fabricated references, making verification an essential responsibility.
The policy also requires users to disclose material AI assistance where specified by course instructions, assessment requirements, research protocols, publication rules or institutional procedures.
2. AI in Teaching and Learning
AI may support learning through tutoring, practice questions, language improvement, translation, accessibility, coding assistance and other educational activities, subject to applicable rules.
Academic staff are expected to communicate acceptable AI use at course level and review AI-generated teaching materials for accuracy, relevance, accessibility and alignment with learning outcomes.
The policy maintains that AI should strengthen students’ understanding and problem-solving abilities without removing the importance of academic supervision, mentoring and independent reasoning.
3. Academic Integrity and Assessment
The policy introduces a clear framework for determining whether AI use is prohibited, permitted for specific functions or permitted more broadly subject to disclosure and verification.
Students remain responsible for the originality, accuracy, references, calculations, code and conclusions in their submitted work, regardless of AI assistance.
Unless expressly authorised by examination instructions, students are not permitted to access or use AI tools during controlled examinations.
Importantly, AI-detection scores or stylistic impressions alone are not conclusive proof of academic misconduct. Suspected violations must be assessed using relevant evidence and established University procedures, including an opportunity for the student to respond.
4. Research, Scholarship and Publication
AI may support literature discovery, translation, coding, data analysis, transcription, modelling, visualisation and drafting where its use is methodologically appropriate and ethically approved.
Researchers and supervisors remain accountable for research design, data integrity, reproducibility, authorship, citations and conclusions.
The policy prohibits the use of AI to fabricate or falsify data, misrepresent research contributions, manipulate peer review or present manufactured results as authentic.
It also emphasises the protection of research participants and confidential information, requiring appropriate authorisation and safeguards before protected material is processed using AI systems.
5. Innovation, Software Development and Entrepreneurship
Recognising AI’s potential to support creativity and economic development, the policy encourages responsible AI-enabled innovation that addresses real problems, creates opportunities and considers local needs.
AI may be used in software development, writing, design, media production and prototyping, subject to applicable rules and licensing requirements.
AI-generated code must be reviewed and tested for security, suitability and licensing before deployment. Users remain responsible for defects or unsafe behaviour arising from code they adopt.
The University also recognises that ownership and commercialisation of AI-assisted outputs must be determined in accordance with applicable laws, contracts, funding terms and institutional intellectual-property policies.
6. Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity
The policy places significant emphasis on protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure AI adoption.
Users must not enter passwords, authentication tokens, student records, staff records, financial information, health information, confidential research or other restricted material into public AI tools without written authorisation and appropriate safeguards.
AI systems must also be assessed for access controls, data storage, retention, third-party access, model training on submitted data, security incidents and deletion arrangements.
Suspected disclosure, loss, misuse or compromise of information through AI must be reported promptly through the University’s designated reporting channels.
7. Human Oversight in Institutional Decisions
AI may assist with administrative drafting, scheduling, document classification, service enquiries and workflow management.
However, AI must not be the sole basis for high-impact decisions involving admissions, student progression, grades, discipline, employment, staff evaluation, financial entitlements or access to essential services.
Material AI-supported recommendations must be reviewed by an appropriately authorised person. Affected individuals should have access to an appropriate explanation and relevant review or appeal mechanisms, subject to applicable rules.
This approach reinforces the principle that institutional responsibility cannot be transferred to an automated system.
8. Fairness, Accessibility and Equal Opportunity
The policy recognises that AI systems can produce unequal outcomes or create barriers for particular groups.
Before significant deployment, responsible units should consider potential bias associated with language, disability, gender, socioeconomic circumstances and other relevant factors.
The University should also avoid making access to paid or high-bandwidth AI tools an unannounced requirement for assessment or academic success. Where AI tools are required, access arrangements and alternatives should be communicated in advance.
AI-generated outputs must be evaluated for suitability to Nigerian contexts, local terminology, professional standards and the diversity of the University community.
Governance, Training and Accountability
The policy assigns executive leadership for implementation to the Vice-Chancellor and provides for an AI Policy and Oversight Committee, or the assignment of equivalent responsibilities to an existing competent committee.
The proposed oversight functions include advising on AI strategy, recommending approved tools, coordinating training and risk reviews, reviewing incidents, promoting equitable access and recommending policy updates.
Faculties, departments and administrative units are expected to implement the policy within their respective areas of responsibility.
The framework also encourages staff development, student orientation, practical guidance and communities of practice to strengthen AI literacy across the University.
Risk Management and Continuous Improvement
The policy adopts a risk-based approach to AI governance. AI applications are to be assessed according to their potential impact, data sensitivity, level of automation, scale, reversibility and consequences of error.
Higher-risk applications should undergo documented review before deployment and periodically thereafter. Assessments should consider reliability, foreseeable harm, human oversight, data protection, fairness and alternative arrangements where systems fail.
The policy further provides for implementation reporting, monitoring indicators and periodic review. It specifies that the policy should be reviewed at least every two years, or sooner where significant technological, legal, regulatory or institutional changes require it.
Advancing Responsible Digital Transformation
Newgate University Minna’s AI Policy establishes a structured foundation for integrating artificial intelligence into higher education while maintaining the central importance of human judgement, academic integrity and institutional accountability.
By encouraging responsible experimentation alongside clear safeguards, the framework seeks to support improved learning, credible research, secure administration and AI-enabled entrepreneurship.
Ultimately, the policy reinforces a practical principle: artificial intelligence should expand human capability, strengthen responsible innovation and help the University community turn knowledge into meaningful solutions.
Through its guiding philosophy of “Explore to Excel,” Newgate University Minna positions responsible AI use as an opportunity to strengthen education, develop problem-solvers and support the next generation of innovators and job creators.
About Newgate University Minna
Newgate University Minna is a higher education institution in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Its AI Policy provides an institutional framework for responsible AI use across teaching, learning, research, innovation and administration.
Note: This article summarises the provisions of the University’s AI Policy document. It does not independently confirm the policy’s formal approval or implementation status.