As AI Looms, Experts Urge Human-Centric Overhaul of Nigerian Workforce Strategy

Oluchi Chibuzor

As Nigerian industries grapple with the promises and perils of Artificial Intelligence, a panel of the nation’s top human resources experts convened this week to chart a path forward. The consensus was clear: without a radical rethinking of workforce development, Nigeria risks being left behind.

Hosted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), the country’s foremost HR regulatory body, the national webinar on “Strategic Workforce Development and AI Integration” brought together leading thinkers to debate one of the most pressing issues of our time. Among the distinguished panelists was Dr. Comfort Oko-Joseph, the UK-based Nigerian researcher and founder of Haytch-R consulting, who has become one of the most influential voices on organizational transformation.

While many discussions on AI are dominated by fears of job replacement, Dr. Oko-Joseph delivered a powerful and nuanced argument that captivated the audience of industry leaders. She posited that the immediate challenge isn’t a replacement, but rather the failure of organizations to prepare their people for augmentation.

“Deploying sophisticated AI into an organization that still operates with a 20th-century mindset is like installing a jet engine on a wooden cart,” Dr. Oko-Joseph argued during the panel discussion. “The technology will not only fail to deliver on its promise; it will shatter the existing structure.”

She outlined a framework emphasizing that for AI integration to succeed, it must be preceded by an investment in a culture of “psychological safety and scaffolded social learning,” where employees are empowered to experiment, learn collaboratively, and adapt without fear of failure. Her impactful contribution shifted the conversation from a purely technological one to a deeply human-centric one.

Her perspective was echoed by other leaders, with one expert noting that Dr. Oko-Joseph’s approach “correctly identifies the cultural and human barriers that are the true roadblocks to innovation.” The session underscored her growing reputation as a national authority whose work is critical in shaping the future of work in Nigeria.