New Techs: AI is tool for enhanced productivity, not threat to human relevance –Nigerian Government

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, opines the Artificial Intelligence technology should be viewed as a tool for advancement of productivity rather than a threat to human relevance in the Nigerian economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As the country seeks to embrace and adopt new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing its Nigeria Digital Economy agenda, the Federal Government has emphasised that AI has not come to replace humans completely in the economy.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said the AI technology should be viewed as a tool for the advancement of productivity rather than a threat to human relevance.

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Inuwa allayed fears that the adoption of AI technology would lead to job losses, especially in the public service.

The Director-General of NITDA noted this at the recent International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) 2026, in Abuja, FCT.

Represented on the occasion by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnership Department at NITDA, stressed that AI technology should be viewed as a tool for the advancement of productivity, and not a threat to human relevance.

Inuwa stated: “There is always this fear that AI is coming to take away jobs, especially in the public service.

“But I want to state clearly that the jobs of people who refuse to upskill themselves may eventually be affected. However, those willing to retrain and adapt will benefit immensely from AI.”

The NITDA Chief Executive further averred: “AI has not come to replace people completely, but those who refuse to develop their skills may struggle to fit into the evolving technology ecosystem.”

Inuwa highlights significance of human oversight in AI deployment

In regard to application of the new technology at the agency, Inuwa related that in order to address this concern, NITDA commenced agency-wide AI capacity-building programmes for all staff.

According to him, employees, whose traditional roles were being transformed by automation, were being reassigned and redesignated into emerging AI-related functions.

He equally related that NITDA had ensured AI training for all public workers.

Those who previously handled manual file operations have been redesignated now as AI assistants and administrators.

Inuwa as well explained the strategic importance of maintaining human oversight in AI deployment.

He cautioned the industry stakeholders against complete removal of human intelligence and accountability from governance systems.

In a move to deepen digital capacity across government institutions, Inuwa said NITDA was collaborating with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF) to train civil servants in digital literacy and AI-related competencies.

The future workforce, he restated, must embrace continuous learning and adaptability to remain relevant in an increasingly AI-driven world.

As regards governance and regulation, the Director-General of NITDA urged all government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to develop internal AI policies capable of defining clear operational boundaries for the technology.

Inuwa also clarified that government deployment of AI differs significantly from private sector usage because public institutions must bear responsibility for any AI-related failures or ethical breaches.

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