Reimagining Recruitment Process in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Recruitment is a fundamental administrative function in tertiary institutions because the quality of personnel recruited influences the effectiveness of teaching, research, community service and institutional development. In Nigeria, conventional recruitment practices are often characterised by lengthy procedures, extensive documentation, delays in processing applications, limited use of recruitment analytics and concerns about transparency and objectivity. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) provides opportunities to transform these practices through intelligent workforce planning, automated application screening, digital credential verification, AI-assisted interviews, recruitment analytics and predictive workforce planning. This paper examines the reimagining of recruitment processes in Nigerian tertiary institutions in the era of artificial intelligence. The paper discusses ten major approaches, including AI-driven workforce planning, AI-supported short-listing, AI-assisted interviews, digital credential verification, AI-enabled applicant communication, AI-supported job-fit assessment, recruitment auditing, inclusive recruitment, recruitment analytics and predictive recruitment planning. The paper argues that AI can improve the speed, efficiency, transparency and evidence-based nature of recruitment when appropriately deployed. However, challenges such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, digital inequality, automation bias, inadequate infrastructure and limited staff capacity may undermine the effectiveness of AI-enabled recruitment. The paper therefore advocates a human-centred recruitment model in which AI provides analytical and administrative support while qualified recruitment officers retain responsibility for professional judgement, ethical oversight and final appointment decisions. Such an approach can contribute to more transparent, efficient, inclusive and sustainable recruitment practices in Nigerian tertiary institutions.