Former Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has urged human resource professionals and policymakers to ensure that technology and data are used to empower people rather than control them, stressing the need for ethical responsibility in the rapidly evolving world of work.
In a statement issued on Saturday after the closing ceremony of the 57th International Conference and Exhibition of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria in Abuja, Osinbajo said, “Data should serve as a tool of empowerment, not control.”
He added, “AI has transformed everything about the world. The future of work is already here, shaped by rapid digital transformation and our youthful population. We must continue to reskill and upskill to meet the opportunities of the new world of work.”
The former vice president commended CIPM “for the giant strides it has made over the years in regulating people management practice in Nigeria,” noting that the institute had become a critical voice in ensuring that innovation and ethics coexist in the modern workplace
Osinbajo’s comments come amid growing global debate over the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven decision-making in the workplace. Experts have raised concerns that while digital tools can enhance productivity, they also pose risks of job displacement, privacy breaches and workplace surveillance if left unchecked.
Nigeria, with one of the largest youth populations in the world, faces unique challenges in balancing technological advancement with human-centred policies.
His renewed call for ethical responsibility in the digital age reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that innovation supports human development rather than undermines it.
On the ethical dimensions of technology, Osinbajo urged HR leaders to establish clear policies to guide the responsible use of AI and data.
“The ethical and responsible use of technology is critical. HR must ensure this by creating clear guidelines to regulate AI,” he said.
