Nigeria has called for the adoption of inclusive and human-centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) policies to safeguard jobs and protect workers’ rights amid rapid technological advancements.
Speaking in Geneva, Switzerland, at the ongoing 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, said the advocacy had become necessary to ensure that the benefits of AI do not come at the expense of decent work and social justice.
Dingyadi, who is leading the Nigerian delegation to the conference, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s statement in response to the report of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and the Director-General of the ILO, Mr Gilbert Houngbo.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Annah Daniel, the minister spoke on the Director-General’s report titled “A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work”.
The minister commended the ILO leadership for its resilience and commitment to advancing the organisation’s mandate despite prevailing global challenges.
“The world is moving forward at a rapid pace, underpinned by advances in AI, and we as an organisation must match that pace,” he said.
“While welcoming the positive transformations AI offers, we are also mindful of the uncertainties it presents.
“The Director-General’s report highlights developments that we are already witnessing in our countries, including expanding labour markets and economies, changes in the organisation of work, new forms of employment relationships, and technological innovations driving policy and institutional reforms.
“These shifts, despite their benefits, also create uncertainty. While AI may generate new jobs, it could also lead to job losses. Likewise, the expansion of digital and AI infrastructure may diminish the traditional role and value of the human element in the workplace.
“We therefore need a balanced approach that ensures that, while harnessing the benefits of AI, the associated risks do not deprive our societies of the gains of decent work.”
Dingyadi described the theme of the Director-General’s report as timely, noting that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping labour markets, employment relationships and workplace practices across the globe.
According to him, while AI presents significant opportunities for economic growth, innovation and improved productivity, it also raises concerns about job displacement, widening inequalities and the diminishing role of human labour in certain sectors.
The minister highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to embrace digital transformation through strategic investments in innovation and technology.
He noted that the Federal Government established the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to drive policies aimed at accelerating the country’s digital development and enhancing economic competitiveness.
Nigeria, he said, has also recorded significant progress in automating public service processes and deploying digital technologies to improve governance and service delivery, with AI increasingly playing a central role in these reforms.
“I am pleased to inform you that Nigeria is steadily harnessing the gains of this initiative in our public service. There is service-wide automation of civil service processes and communication, with AI playing a significant role. Additionally, platform work is gaining ground,” he stated.
The minister further welcomed ongoing discussions within the ILO on promoting decent work in the platform economy, stressing the need for appropriate labour standards to protect workers engaged in emerging forms of employment.
On reforms within the ILO, Dingyadi reiterated Nigeria’s support for the democratisation of the organisation’s governance structures.
He called for renewed efforts to ratify the 1986 Amendment to the ILO Constitution and advocated a review of the criteria used to determine countries of Chief Industrial Importance to ensure fair and equitable representation across all regions.
According to him, such reforms would strengthen inclusivity, transparency and justice within the organisation.
The Nigerian government also urged member states to align the ILO Centenary Declaration and the Global Coalition for Social Justice with national development priorities to ensure that technological progress promotes social justice and decent work.
The 114th Session of the International Labour Conference commenced on 1 June and is scheduled to conclude on 12 June 2026.
