FG Allays Fears Of AI Replacing Public Service Workers, Says NITDA

The Federal Government has moved to calm fears that artificial intelligence will wipe out jobs in the public service, saying the real risk is for workers who refuse to learn new skills.

Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, made the point at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 in Abuja. He was represented at the event by Dr Aristotle Onumo, NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnership.

AI As A Productivity Tool

Inuwa said AI should be seen as a tool that can improve productivity in government, not as a blanket replacement for civil servants. According to him, the public service must prepare for a workplace where routine tasks are increasingly automated, but where human judgement and accountability remain important.

He acknowledged that many workers are worried about losing their relevance as government agencies adopt digital systems. But he said the answer is not to resist technology. The answer, in his view, is training.

Inuwa warned that workers who refuse to upskill may struggle as the system changes, while those who retrain and adapt are more likely to benefit from AI adoption.

That message is important because the Nigerian public service still relies heavily on manual files, paper-based approvals and repetitive administrative processes. AI tools could reduce delays in those areas, but they could also expose skill gaps among workers who have not been prepared for digital workflows.

NITDA Begins Internal AI Training

NITDA said it has started agency-wide AI capacity-building programmes for its staff. Some employees whose traditional roles are being affected by automation are being moved into newer AI-related functions.

Inuwa said workers who previously handled manual file operations have been redesignated into roles such as AI assistants and AI administrators after training.

The agency is also working with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to train civil servants in digital literacy and AI-related competencies.

The goal, according to NITDA, is to prepare government workers for a public service where digital tools are part of daily work, from document management and service delivery to data analysis and decision support.

Human Oversight Still Needed

Inuwa also warned against removing human oversight from AI deployment. He said public institutions must remain responsible for decisions, even when technology is used to speed up processes.

That concern matters because AI systems can produce errors, reflect bias or make recommendations that require human review. In sensitive areas of governance, a wrong decision can affect citizens’ rights, benefits or access to public services.

The NITDA boss urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to develop internal AI policies that define clear boundaries for the technology. Such policies would help determine where AI can be used, who supervises it, how data is protected and what happens when mistakes occur.

For Nigeria’s civil service, the message is direct: AI may not remove everyone from work, but it will change the kind of work many people are expected to do.

Sources: ThisDay, ConsumerConnect, TechEconomy