The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has urged Nigerian business leaders to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a partner in innovation rather than viewing it as a threat to human employment.
Speaking at the BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria in Lagos during a high-level panel session themed “Builders of the New Nigeria—Stories of Scale, Grit, and Innovation,” Inuwa emphasised that AI should be seen as a strategic collaborator capable of transforming business models, boosting productivity, and fostering economic growth.
“I see artificial intelligence not just as a tool, but as a thought partner,” Inuwa said. “AI should not replace human input but complement it—unlocking new levels of creativity and innovation.”
He dismissed fears of AI replacing human workers entirely, clarifying that AI will only take over specific skills and repetitive tasks, allowing humans to focus on higher-value, strategic contributions. “The key is to position yourself at the centre of this collaboration. Yes, AI can outperform humans in many tasks, but it will not replace you or me. What AI will replace are the skills and processes we rely on today to perform our work,” he said.
Inuwa called on CEOs to adapt their roles in an AI-driven world by learning how to work alongside intelligent systems and redefining business workflows to harness AI’s full potential.
To maximise AI’s effectiveness, the NITDA boss advised business leaders to assign contextual roles to AI systems—such as virtual lawyers, doctors, co-founders, or advisors—depending on business needs. This, he said, would make interactions more productive and goal-oriented.
While he expressed optimism about AI’s promise, Inuwa also urged caution, warning that AI should not be assumed to be accurate or ethical by default. “AI should always be treated as the worst version of itself until it proves otherwise,” he said.
He stressed the importance of regulatory oversight, revealing that NITDA has adopted a progressive regulatory model based on collaboration, experimentation, and co-creation. The agency, he explained, works closely with innovators and startups through policy labs to test emerging technologies in controlled environments before setting regulatory standards.
“This is our approach to regulation. Rather than rushing to regulate based on fear, we collaborate with the private sector to experiment, learn, and build together,” Inuwa noted. “We co-create solutions, then use the lessons from these experiments to establish clear benchmarks that will inform future frameworks, guidelines, and regulations.”
According to him, Nigeria is leading by example in balancing innovation with societal responsibility. “Our aim is to create an environment where businesses can innovate responsibly, while ensuring society as a whole benefits from these new technologies.”
The BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria drew business executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the country. It served as a platform for high-level discussions on navigating Nigeria’s complex economic terrain through technology, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership.
Panellists at the event shared personal stories of determination, explored strategies for sustainable business growth, and highlighted how AI, digital payments, and data analytics are reshaping the Nigerian economic landscape.
