The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on Nigerian business leaders to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a collaborative partner in innovation and economic growth, rather than as a threat to human employment.
Speaking at a high-level panel session titled “Builders of the New Nigeria, Stories of Scale, Grit, and Innovation” during the BusinessDay CEO Forum Nigeria in Lagos, Inuwa challenged prevailing perceptions of AI. He encouraged CEOs and entrepreneurs to adopt AI as a “thought partner” that can unlock new business models, spark innovation, and build competitive advantages in a rapidly changing global economy.
“I see artificial intelligence not just as a tool, but as a thought partner,” Inuwa stated. “We must move beyond the fear that AI will replace us. Instead, we should recognize that AI is here to augment human potential.”
He explained that while AI can outperform humans in specific tasks, it is unlikely to replace people outright. What it will replace, he noted, are the repetitive processes and skills currently used in many industries. Business leaders, he said, must position themselves at the center of this evolution by adapting their roles and learning to work alongside intelligent systems.
“The key is to reposition yourself in a world where AI handles routine tasks, allowing humans to focus on creativity, strategy, and complex decision-making,” he said.
To harness AI effectively, Inuwa advised businesses to assign defined roles to AI tools, such as digital assistants, virtual doctors, legal analysts, or business co-founders, so their use becomes more contextual, meaningful, and productive.
However, he cautioned against blind reliance on AI, warning that while these systems are powerful, they should be treated as potentially flawed until proven otherwise. “Always approach AI as the worst version of itself until it proves to be accurate, ethical, and reliable,” Inuwa said.
He also stressed the critical role of government in ensuring AI is developed and deployed responsibly. Highlighting NITDA’s progressive regulatory approach, Inuwa said the agency focuses on collaboration, experimentation, and co-creation with the private sector.
“We don’t regulate out of fear. We test technologies in policy labs, co-create solutions, and develop benchmarks informed by evidence and experience,” he explained. “This way, we ensure AI adoption is both safe and enabling.”
Inuwa concluded by underscoring Nigeria’s ambition to strike a balance between innovation and responsibility. “Our aim is to create an environment where businesses can innovate confidently and responsibly, ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies like AI are shared across society.”
The BusinessDay CEO Forum brought together leading executives, innovators, and policymakers to discuss strategies for business resilience, digital transformation, and scaling enterprises in Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape. Panelists shared personal stories of grit, explored the impact of digital technologies, and charted a vision for inclusive economic growth.
