In a recent discussion with The Guardian, communication and marketing analytics expert Chinyere Agbasiere highlighted a critical shift in the Nigerian business landscape. She stated that the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a powerful tool for enhancing workplace performance, driving efficiency, and preparing employees for the future.
AI Transforms Work, Not Just Eliminates Jobs
Agbasiere, speaking on 22 December 2025, clarified a common misconception. She argued that the most significant impact of AI is not widespread job loss. Instead, its primary effect is reshaping the demand for skills and altering the very structure of work. For Nigerian organisations to stay competitive in the growing digital economy, understanding this shift is non-negotiable.
She explained that AI integration is changing how tasks are accomplished across various sectors. Routine and repetitive functions in finance, healthcare, marketing, and operations are increasingly being automated. This automation frees up human employees to concentrate on higher-value activities that demand creativity, complex problem-solving, and strategic judgment.
The Rising Demand for New Skill Sets
This evolution is creating an urgent need for new competencies in the Nigerian workforce. Agbasiere emphasised that technical expertise alone is no longer sufficient. The growing integration of AI makes skills like data literacy, analytical thinking, adaptability, and effective digital communication essential for employees.
For employers, she advised a proactive and strategic approach to workforce planning. This strategy must include:
- Investing in continuous employee training and upskilling programmes.
- Redesigning job roles to align with new technological capabilities.
- Ensuring talent management strategies evolve alongside technological change.
Agbasiere also pointed to the vital role of educational institutions. She advocated for stronger partnerships between industry and academia to adapt curricula, ensuring that graduates possess the emerging skills needed by the modern economy.
Navigating Risks and Ensuring Ethical Implementation
The expert issued a warning about potential inequalities. Without deliberate intervention, unequal access to digital tools and AI training could limit participation in the new AI-enabled work environment, widening existing workforce gaps. However, she noted that inclusive strategies can expand opportunities across different regions and demographics, promoting equitable access to AI-related skills.
Furthermore, Agbasiere stressed that ethical considerations must remain central as AI systems become embedded in workplace processes. Maintaining trust requires transparency in AI-driven decisions, fairness in automated hiring and evaluation practices, and clear accountability for automation outcomes.
In conclusion, Agbasiere affirmed that AI adoption is a present-day reality actively shaping the Nigerian workforce. The long-term impact on employment will hinge on how effectively businesses, institutions, and policymakers invest in comprehensive workforce development and ethical frameworks.
