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NITDA Calls for Ethical, Skills-Driven AI Adoption in Public Service
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called on public institutions to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly, with strong emphasis on human accountability, clear policy frameworks, and continuous digital skills development.
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Speaking at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 held at Eagles Square, the NITDA boss—represented by the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo—outlined the agency’s structured approach to integrating AI into government operations.
NITDA’s Three-Year AI Transformation Plan
According to the Director General, NITDA has commenced the implementation of a comprehensive three-year AI Transformation Plan aimed at repositioning the agency for long-term institutional efficiency, productivity, and operational continuity.
He explained that the plan is designed to ensure seamless service delivery, regardless of changes in personnel.
“In NITDA, we have what we call the AI Transformation Plan—a three-year initiative that ensures even if current staff are replaced, new personnel can interact with the system and continue work without disruption,” he stated.
AI-Powered Workflow and Document Management
Abdullahi revealed that AI has already been embedded into NITDA’s internal workflow systems, particularly in document handling and task tracking. Official documents submitted to the agency are now scanned at entry points and automatically routed to the appropriate officers using AI-driven keyword and subject analysis.
The system also tracks response timelines and flags delays for accountability.
“Once documents are dropped at the gate, AI scans and routes them to the right officers. If they are not treated within the required timeframe, the system flags them and reports accordingly,” he explained.
AI as a Productivity Tool, Not a Job Killer
Addressing widespread concerns about AI-induced job losses, the NITDA DG stressed that AI should be viewed as an enabler of productivity rather than a threat to employment—especially in the public sector.
He noted that while resistance to upskilling could affect some roles, civil servants willing to retrain would benefit significantly from AI adoption.
“AI is not coming to take away jobs. However, those who refuse to upskill may eventually be affected. Those who adapt will gain the most,” he said.
Workforce Reskilling and Role Redesign
To manage workforce transitions, NITDA has rolled out agency-wide AI capacity-building programmes. Staff whose roles are impacted by automation are being retrained and reassigned to emerging AI-focused functions.
According to Abdullahi, personnel previously engaged in manual file management have been redesignated as AI assistants and AI administrators.
“We are preparing our workforce for the future rather than replacing them,” he noted.
Human Oversight and AI Governance Remain Critical
The NITDA DG warned against removing human intelligence and accountability from governance systems, stressing that AI deployments must always retain human oversight.
“You must not eliminate human monitoring and accountability. At the end of the day, someone must remain responsible,” he cautioned.
He further called on all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to develop internal AI policies that clearly define operational boundaries and ethical considerations.
Aligning AI Deployment with Data Protection Regulations
Abdullahi emphasized that AI deployment in government differs from private sector usage, as public institutions bear direct responsibility for failures, ethical breaches, and data misuse.
He stressed the need for robust governance frameworks to ensure compliance with data protection laws and responsible AI principles.
“Without proper frameworks, data misuse could become more prevalent and destructive,” he warned.
National AI Strategy and Cross-Government Collaboration
The DG highlighted NITDA’s leadership role in driving national AI adoption following the development of Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, describing it as one of the country’s most forward-looking digital policy instruments.
He noted that NITDA is currently serving as a live AI sandbox—testing deployment models before scaling them across the public service.
As part of broader capacity-building efforts, NITDA is collaborating with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to train civil servants in digital literacy and AI competencies.
Continuous Learning Key to Future Relevance
Abdullahi concluded by urging civil servants to embrace lifelong learning and adaptability in an increasingly AI-driven governance environment.
“AI has not come to replace people completely. But those who refuse to develop their skills may struggle to remain relevant,” he said.
