The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has called for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing the need to balance innovation with ethics, accountability and human-centred values. The institute made the call during an academic conference, organised in collaboration with the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), under the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence in Academia, Industry and Government: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Impact’.
Keynote Addresses Highlight Challenges and Opportunities
Speaking at the event, President and Chairman of the Governing Council, CIPM, Ahmed Gobir, said the conversation around AI should no longer focus on whether the technology will transform society, but on how stakeholders can guide the transformation responsibly. According to him, innovation without ethics and technology without accountability can be dangerous, making it imperative for organisations and institutions to ensure that human dignity, fairness, transparency, inclusion and responsibility remain at the centre of AI adoption.
Gobir emphasised that despite rapid technological advancements, human beings remain the driving force behind successful organisations. “Organisations thrive not because they possess the most advanced technology, but because they have the right people with the right skills, mindset and values,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof Sunday Adebisi of UNILAG described AI as the world’s new infrastructure, noting that it has evolved beyond being a workplace tool to becoming a major force shaping learning, production, governance and communication. While acknowledging the immense opportunities AI presents, he warned that Africa faces significant challenges that could limit its ability to maximise the technology’s benefits. He highlighted challenges on inadequate digital infrastructure, ICT skills gaps, regulatory concerns, ethical issues, and disparities in access to technology. Adebisi noted that if these challenges are not addressed, AI adoption could worsen employment concerns across the continent.
Another keynote speaker, Henry Onukuba of the CIPM, described AI as one of the most transformative developments of the modern era, capable of revolutionising service delivery, productivity and access to knowledge. He argued that the critical issue facing institutions was how to integrate AI responsibly without compromising fairness, accountability, public trust, and human dignity. Onukwuba highlighted the technology’s potential to democratise access to education and bridge information gaps, noting that students in remote communities can now access the same information available to their counterparts in major urban centres. He further observed that AI-powered learning environments could help address faculty shortages in Nigerian universities and improve educational outcomes.
“AI will not take over your job. Your job will be taken over by someone who knows how to work smarter and more effectively with AI,” he said.
Conference Recognises Outstanding Research
Chairman of the Academic Conference and Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, UNILAG, Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, described the conference theme as timely and relevant given the rapid advancements associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He noted that while AI is creating opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and knowledge creation, it is also raising concerns around employment displacement, privacy, inequality and the responsible use of technology. According to him, addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration among academia, industry and government to build AI systems that are innovative, transparent, fair, and human-centred.
Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof Abdul-Hameed Sulaimon, who represented the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, commended CIPM and the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management for organising the conference and urged participants to apply the lessons learned in their respective organisations and institutions.
The conference also recognised outstanding research contributions. Out of 47 abstracts submitted by researchers and scholars, 38 papers advanced to the full paper presentation stage following a rigorous review process. At the end of the exercise, Dr Aramide Kuforiji emerged the overall best researcher, while Prof Sam Bodunrin and Dr Ifeanyi Enukorah secured second and third positions, respectively. The awards underscored the conference’s commitment to promoting academic excellence, innovation, research integrity, and evidence-based contributions to advancing human resource management and the future of work.
