The Federal Government has moved to stop artificial intelligence (AI) from replacing Nigerian workers as global concerns grow over job losses linked to automation and digital technologies.
Nigeria made its position known at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, called for inclusive and human-centred AI policies that protect jobs, workers’ rights, and decent work.
Speaking during discussions on the report titled, “A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work,” presented by the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Dingyadi warned that while AI is creating new opportunities across industries, it is also creating fears around unemployment, widening inequality, and the gradual reduction of human involvement in workplaces.
According to the minister, Nigeria supports technological advancement and digital transformation, but believes AI adoption must not come at the expense of workers and human labour.
“The world is moving forward at a rapid pace, underpinned by advances in AI, and we as an organisation must match that pace. While welcoming the positive transformations AI offers, we are also pondering the uncertainties it connotes,” Dingyadi said.
He explained that countries around the world are already witnessing major changes in labour markets, employment structures, and workplace systems because of the rapid growth of AI and automation technologies.
“The DG’s Report has highlighted changes we are aware of, and are probably already experiencing in our countries; the expanding labour markets and economies, change in how work is organised, new forms of employment relationships, as well as technological change that drives policy and institutional innovation,” he added.
The minister warned that AI could create a dangerous imbalance if governments fail to put proper regulations and labour protections in place.
“Where AI creates new jobs, there may be job losses. Where digital and AI infrastructures are created, there may be a loss of the traditional role and value of the human factor in the work process,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria is pushing for a balanced system that allows the country benefit from AI-driven innovation without sacrificing workers’ welfare and employment opportunities.
“We therefore need a balanced approach that ensures that, while harnessing the benefits of AI, the attendant risks do not rob our societies of the gains of decent work,” Dingyadi stated.
The Federal Government also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s public sector through technology and automation.
According to the minister, the creation of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is part of broader efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s digital development and improve economic competitiveness.
He said Nigeria has already made progress in automating civil service operations and deploying digital tools to improve governance and service delivery across government institutions.
“I’m also pleased to inform you that Nigeria is steadily harnessing the gains of this initiative in our Public Service. There is the service-wide automation of civil service processes and communication with AI playing a significant role. Additionally, platform work is gaining ground,” he said.
Despite embracing technology, the government maintained that automation should not completely replace human labour or expose workers to unfair conditions.
Dingyadi also backed ongoing discussions within the ILO aimed at creating labour standards for platform workers and emerging digital jobs.
He stressed the need for stronger global labour protections as remote work, gig platforms, and AI-powered systems continue to reshape employment across different sectors.
The minister further reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for reforms within the ILO, including calls for fair representation of all regions in the organisation’s governance structure.
He urged member states to align technological progress with social justice and national development goals to ensure that AI contributes positively to economic growth without worsening unemployment or social inequality.
The Federal Government’s position comes as countries across the world continue debating how AI technologies like automation systems, generative AI, and machine learning could affect jobs in sectors including customer service, administration, media, finance, manufacturing, and public service.
Globally, concerns have continued to grow over how companies are increasingly replacing human tasks with AI systems in a bid to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Nigeria’s latest position signals that the government wants AI growth to happen alongside worker protection policies rather than allowing unchecked automation to displace millions of workers in the future.
