AI is thought partner, not a threat, NITDA DG tells CEOs
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on Nigerian business leaders to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic partner for innovation and productivity rather than viewing it as a threat to human employment. Speaking at the BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria in Lagos, during a panel titled […]
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on Nigerian business leaders to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic partner for innovation and productivity rather than viewing it as a threat to human employment.
Speaking at the BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria in Lagos, during a panel titled “Builders of the New Nigeria – Stories of Scale, Grit, and Innovation,” Inuwa challenged conventional perceptions of AI, urging CEOs to view the technology as a “thought partner” that can generate new ideas, unlock business models, and enhance competitiveness in a fast-changing global economy.
Inuwa explained that while AI can outperform humans in certain tasks, it is not intended to replace people. Rather, it will displace specific skills and processes currently relied on in performing various tasks.
He advised business leaders to collaborate with AI by assigning it clear roles such as virtual assistants, legal advisors, or business analysts to drive more effective and purposeful integration.
However, he cautioned that while AI holds immense potential, it must be used with vigilance.
Business leaders, he warned, should not assume AI is always accurate or ethical. Inuwa highlighted the need for strong regulatory oversight and explained that NITDA’s approach involves collaborating with the private sector to test and co-create solutions through “policy labs” before rolling out frameworks or regulations.
This progressive approach, according to him, enables NITDA to develop evidence-based policies that promote innovation while ensuring public safety. Rather than imposing blanket restrictions out of fear, the agency encourages experimentation with emerging technologies in safe, controlled environments, gaining insights that inform future regulatory frameworks.
The CEO Forum brought together influential business executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss strategies for resilience, growth, and innovation in Nigeria’s economic landscape. Panelists shared personal stories of perseverance and examined how digital technologies like AI, mobile payments, and data analytics are reshaping business in Nigeria.