Leveraging AI-Powered Learning Tools in Developing Critical Thinking Skills among Nigerian Undergraduates to Combat Insecurity

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not 
just been limited to tech fields, but they have 
also changed how Nigerian school teach and 
learn. Educators have been investigating on 
possible ways that knowledge acquisition can 
help students become more critically minded of 
the problems that surround them. The present 
study examined the impact of AI-Powered 
learning tools on developing critical thinking 
skills among undergraduates in a period of 
insecurity in Nigeria. The study employed a 
descriptive survey research design. The 
population of the study composed of 420 
undergraduate students in the Department of 
Science Education, Akwa Ibom State University. 
The study utilized an accidental sampling 
technique to recruit 126 level 300 and 400 
students. The Critical Thinking Skills 
Assessment Questionnaire (CTSAQ) and the 
Specific Security Challenges Questionnaire 
(SSCQ) were used as the instruments for data 
collection. The reliability of the instrument was 
determined using Cronbach alpha and the 
reliability index obtained were 0.75 and 0.88 for 
CTSAQ and SSCQ respectively. Mean, standard 
deviation, and one-sample t-tests statistics were 
used to analyze the gathered data. The findings 
show a significant improvement in critical 
thinking skills and a positive perception in the 
usefulness of AI-Powered tools, with students 
showing more interest in security-related 
subjects. Students expressed a favorable attitude 
toward AI-Powered learning tools since they 
foster the growth of their security-related critical 
thinking skills. Additionally, AI-Powered 
learning tools are seen by Nigerian 

undergraduates as useful tools for fostering 
critical thinking skills that could help tp tackle 
security challenges. Hence, the study concluded 
that undergraduates’ critical thinking and 
attitudes toward security issues are positively 
impacted by AI-Powered learning tools. It was 
therefore recommended that Nigerian 
universities should integrate AI-Powered 
learning tools such as tutoring systems, 
academic chat assistants, chatbots, and 
interactive simulations into everyday teaching 
and the curriculum.