Artificial Intelligence Adoption for Skills Development in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Roadmap for TVET Transformation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education globally and presents a unique opportunity for developing nations like Nigeria to modernize their Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems. This systematic review investigates the current state of AI integration in Nigerian TVET institutions, identifies key challenges, and proposes a policy-responsive roadmap for sustainable implementation. Guided by Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) theory, the study synthesized findings from 51 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2025 and thematically categorized them into five clusters: awareness and readiness, institutional capacity, implementation barriers, robotics and computational thinking, and ethical and policy considerations. The findings indicate strong interest in AI among stakeholders, but also expose critical gaps in infrastructure, lecturer expertise, policy coordination, and ethical governance. Using the DoI framework, the study highlights the importance of relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability in shaping the adoption and diffusion of AI technologies across the TVET landscape. The proposed roadmap emphasizes inclusive stakeholder engagement, professional development, infrastructure investment, curriculum innovation, and the establishment of ethical and policy frameworks. This review provides data-driven insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders aiming to advance AI adoption for skills development in Nigeria.