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

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 designinvolving 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