Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Implication for Office and Information Management in Tertiary Institutions in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Work: Implication for Office 
and Information Management (OIM) Program in tertiary institutions in Delta State, Nigeria. The 
increasing integration of AI into administrative functions across the globe is reshaping the skills 
and competencies required of office professionals. The study aimed to assess the awareness, 
perception, and preparedness of OIM stakeholders—lecturers and students—toward AI, evaluate 
the responsiveness of current OIM curricula to AI developments, and explore the implications for 
future job roles in the administrative field. The research adopted a descriptive survey design
involving 295 respondents (95 lecturers and 200 final-year students) from selected tertiary 
institutions in Delta State offering OIM programs. Data were collected using a structured 
questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics including mean scores, ttests, and Pearson correlation analysis. Findings revealed a high level of awareness and positive 
perception of AI among respondents. However, the current OIM curriculum was found to be 
largely unprepared for the demands of an AI-driven workplace. Respondents agreed on the urgent 
need for curriculum reform, greater institutional investment in AI tools, and the development of 
digital and automation skills. The study concluded that without deliberate and strategic reforms, 
OIM programs in Delta State, Nigeria risk producing graduates ill-equipped for the evolving 
demands of the digital workplace. It recommended curriculum modernization, faculty training, 
infrastructure development, and industry-academia partnerships to bridge the readiness gap.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Future of Work, Office and Information Management, 
Curriculum Reform, Administrative Roles, Digital Skills