The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education

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Volume 4, 2026 – Issue 3

Generative AI and Cognitive Sustainability Among Nigerian University Learners: A Socio-Materiality Framework

Benson Yusuf Baha 1, Omachi Okolo 2*, Giliki Jerison 3, and Nachanaa Johnson 4

1 Adamawa College of Education, Hong, Nigeria

2 Department of Information Systems, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria

3,4 Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), Tanzania

* Corresponding author: omachi.okolo@aun.edu.ng

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23785673

Abstract

This study proposes a Perceived Cognitive Sustainability Socio-material Framework (PCSSF), grounded in socio-materiality theory, to explain how the entanglement between learners and GenAI tools produces “hybrid minds,” which are associated with perceived cognitive offloading and, subsequently, perceived cognitive decline. The framework further incorporates institutional governance strategies as a mediating mechanism that helps reduce cognitive risks and support cognitive sustainability. The model was tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) on survey data from 420 students and researchers across higher educational institutions in Nigeria. Results indicate acceptable measurement and structural model fits, with statistically significant paths supporting six of the seven hypothesized relationships: socio-material entanglement was associated with hybrid mind/intelligence formation, which in turn was linked to perceived cognitive offloading and subsequent perceived cognitive decline. Institutional governance partially mediated the relationship between perceived cognitive offloading and perceived cognitive sustainability, but did not mediate the link between perceived cognitive offloading and perceived cognitive decline. Theoretically, this study reframes GenAI-induced cognitive change as an emergent socio-material phenomenon rather than a purely technological or human issue; conceptually, it positions learners and GenAI as co-learning entities; and practically, it offers institutions a governance-based framework to sustain learners’ cognitive autonomy. Finally, the findings suggest that GenAI adoption in higher education should augment rather than replace human cognitive effort.

Keywords: generative AI, education, socio-materiality theory, cognitive sustainability

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Published

2026/10/31

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Section

Research Papers

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Baha, B. Y., Okolo, O., Jerison, G., & Johnson, N. (2026). Generative AI and cognitive sustainability among Nigerian university learners: A socio-materiality framework. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 4(3), 421–448. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23785673

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Baha, Benson Yusuf, Omachi Okolo, Giliki Jerison, and Nachanaa Johnson. 2026. “Generative AI and Cognitive Sustainability among Nigerian University Learners: A Socio-Materiality Framework.” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education 4 (3): 421–48. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23785673.

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Baha, Benson Yusuf, et al. “Generative AI and Cognitive Sustainability among Nigerian University Learners: A Socio-Materiality Framework.” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, vol. 4, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 421–48, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23785673.

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B. Y. Baha, O. Okolo, G. Jerison, and N. Johnson, “Generative AI and cognitive sustainability among Nigerian university learners: A socio-materiality framework,” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 421–448, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.23785673.

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Baha, B.Y. et al. (2026) “Generative AI and cognitive sustainability among Nigerian university learners: A socio-materiality framework,” The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 4(3), pp. 421–448. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23785673.

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Baha BY, Okolo O, Jerison G, Johnson N. Generative AI and cognitive sustainability among Nigerian university learners: A socio-materiality framework. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education [Internet]. 2026 Oct 31;4(3):421–48. Available from: https://ijtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/N40389.pdf

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Baha, B. Y., Okolo, O., Jerison, G., & Johnson, N. (2026). Generative AI and cognitive sustainability among Nigerian university learners: A socio-materiality framework. The International Journal of Technology, Innovation, and Education, 4(3), 421–448. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23785673

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About the authors
  1. Benson Yusuf Baha is a Professor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence). He received a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, M.Sc. in Computer Science from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, and a PhD in Computer Science from the Modibbo Adama University in Yola. He has over 20 years of teaching and research experience, and he is a member of various professional associations such as MCPN, MNCS, MAITP, MTRCN, and AITP. He is currently the Provost of Adamawa State College of Education, Hong, Adamawa State, Nigeria. His research interests are in artificial intelligence, machine learning, Data analytics, AI in education, and AI in Agriculture.
    bybaha@yahoo.com
    ↩︎
  2. Omachi Okolo has a Ph.D. in Information Technology from the Faculty of Computing at the Modibbo Adama University Yola, Nigeria. He received a master’s degree in Information Technology from the same department in 2019 and a Bachelor’s degree from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria, in 2007. He is an assistant professor of Information Systems at the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Nigeria. His research interests are intelligent information systems, machine learning, causal learning, and health informatics.
    omachi.okolo@gmail.com
    ↩︎
  3. Giliki Jerison has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, Adamawa State College of Education, Hong, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
    jerrygillysbaake@gmail.com
    ↩︎
  4. Nachanaa Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, Adamawa State College of Education, Hong, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
    nachanaaj6224@gmail.com
    ↩︎
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