CIPM and UNILAG Discuss Ethical AI Adoption and the Future of Work

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has urged the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need to balance innovation with ethics, accountability, and human‑centred values as the technology continues to reshape the world of work.

The statement was made at the CIPM 3rd International Academic Conference, organised in partnership with the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos. The event carried the theme: “Artificial Intelligence in Academia, Industry and Government: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Impact.”

In his address, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, argued that the debate about AI should shift from whether the technology will transform society to how stakeholders can guide that transformation responsibly.

He warned that innovation without ethics and technology without accountability can be dangerous, and called on organisations and institutions to keep human dignity, fairness, transparency, inclusion, and responsibility at the core of AI adoption.

“Algorithms do not build trust. People build trust. Machines do not create culture. People create culture,” Mallam Gobir said, adding that organisations thrive not because they possess the most advanced technology, but because they have the right people with the right skills, mindset, and values.

Prof. Sunday Adebisi, delivering the keynote address, described AI as “the world’s new infrastructure,” noting that it has evolved beyond a workplace tool to become a major force shaping learning, production, governance, and communication.

He acknowledged the vast opportunities AI offers but cautioned that Africa faces significant challenges that could limit its ability to maximise the technology’s benefits. These include inadequate digital infrastructure, ICT skills gaps, regulatory concerns, ethical issues, and disparities in access to technology.

Prof. Adebisi warned that if these challenges are not addressed, AI adoption could exacerbate employment concerns across the continent.

Another keynote speaker, Mr. Henry Onukuba, FCIPM, described AI as one of the most transformative developments of the modern era, capable of revolutionising service delivery, productivity, and access to knowledge.

He said the critical issue for institutions is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to integrate it responsibly without compromising fairness, accountability, public trust, and human dignity.

Mr. Onukuba highlighted AI’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 stated.

Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, ACIPM, Chairman of the Academic Conference and Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos, 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 Prof. Shadare, addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government to build AI systems that are innovative, transparent, fair, and human‑centred.

Representing the Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, and the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Abdul‑Hameed Sulaimon, 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. 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 as 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 the advancement of human resource management and the future of work.

As the conference concluded, one message resonated strongly across all sessions: Artificial Intelligence may shape the future, but people will determine its impact. The challenge before academia, industry, and government is not merely to adopt AI, but to guide its development and application in ways that uphold human dignity, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.