Nigeria’s IT Professionals Urge Responsible AI Adoption, Stronger Cybersecurity and Digital Skills Investment
By Simpson Global Media News Desk
Technology leaders call for a digitally prepared public service
Information technology professionals, academics and public-sector stakeholders have called for stronger investment in digital skills, responsible artificial intelligence adoption and cybersecurity as Nigeria seeks to improve public administration and expand its digital economy.
The recommendations emerged from the 2026 annual summit of the Nigeria Information Technology Professionals in Civil and Public Service (NITPCS), held at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.
The summit, themed “The Emerging Gig Economy: Implications for IT Professionals in Public and Civil Service,” examined how artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, automation, data analytics and digital employment platforms are changing the nature of work and the responsibilities of technology professionals.
Discussions centred on a central challenge for Nigeria: how to ensure that public institutions acquire not only modern technology but also the skills, infrastructure, policies and professional standards needed to use it effectively.
Participants called for sustained training for civil servants, lecturers, students and information technology practitioners. They also highlighted the need for reliable electricity, improved internet connectivity, stronger data protection, cybersecurity awareness and locally relevant datasets to support the development of AI systems.
The summit’s recommendations come as digital services increasingly influence how governments manage information, communicate with citizens, deliver services and make administrative decisions.
Reports published on October 11 by The Fellow Press detailed the participants’ calls for responsible AI use and continuous digital training. The summit’s theme and location are also confirmed on the official NITPCS website.
Sources: The Fellow Press — Participants Push Responsible AI Adoption, Digital Skills at NITPCS Summit; NITPCS official summit information.
Artificial intelligence moves to the centre of public-sector reform
Artificial intelligence was among the major issues discussed at the gathering, reflecting growing interest in the technology’s potential to improve productivity and public service delivery.
AI tools can help organisations process large volumes of information, identify patterns, support research and automate repetitive tasks. In government institutions, properly designed systems may assist with document management, public enquiries, data analysis and other administrative functions.
However, the benefits depend on how the technology is introduced, supervised and evaluated.
Participants stressed that AI adoption should be responsible and ethical, rather than driven solely by enthusiasm for new software. Public institutions need to consider accuracy, privacy, accountability, professional standards and the consequences of relying on automated outputs.
AI systems can produce incorrect or misleading information. They may also reproduce biases present in their training data or expose confidential information if staff use them without appropriate safeguards.
For government agencies, these risks can have direct consequences for citizens, particularly when technology supports decisions involving public records, eligibility for services, official communications or the handling of sensitive personal information.
The summit discussions therefore pointed towards an approach in which AI is used to strengthen professional work rather than replace the judgement and accountability expected of public servants.
Institutions adopting AI would need clear rules on which tasks can be automated, which decisions require human review, what information staff may enter into external systems and how errors should be reported and corrected.
Such rules are particularly important where official records, confidential government information or citizens’ personal data are involved.
The message from the summit was that digital transformation must be accompanied by professional competence and safeguards. Purchasing technology alone does not guarantee better public services.
Digital skills must extend beyond basic computer use
Participants also called for continuous professional development to help workers keep pace with technological change.
The rapid evolution of AI, cloud services, cybersecurity and data analytics means that skills acquired several years ago may no longer be sufficient for every role. Technology professionals need opportunities to update their knowledge, while other public servants require practical training relevant to their responsibilities.
Digital skills development should not be limited to learning how to operate computers or use office applications. Depending on their roles, workers may need to understand data management, secure online communication, digital records, privacy, AI-assisted research and the evaluation of information generated by automated systems.
Training should also help workers distinguish between reliable and unreliable digital information, identify possible cyber threats and understand when a technology-based recommendation requires further investigation.
At the summit, participants advocated coordinated investment in AI education for students, lecturers and civil servants. They also emphasised that lecturers and academic supervisors must update their knowledge as AI tools become more common in research and educational settings.
This is an important issue for Nigeria’s education system. Students and researchers increasingly encounter AI tools that can assist with writing, coding, summarising documents and analysing information. Their use raises questions about academic integrity, originality, accuracy and the responsibilities of institutions to prepare students for a changing workplace.
Rather than relying exclusively on restrictions or allowing unrestricted use, institutions need practical policies that explain acceptable applications, disclosure requirements and the limits of automated assistance.
Training should similarly help teachers and supervisors evaluate AI-assisted work and identify circumstances in which students must demonstrate their own understanding.
For civil servants, the objective should be to connect digital training with measurable improvements in service delivery. Courses are more valuable when participants can apply their skills to real administrative challenges and demonstrate that they can use systems securely and effectively.
Why continuous professional development matters
A report by The Fellow Press highlighted the contribution of Dr. Oloyede during discussions on professional development. He described the importance of continued learning and said he had earned close to 28 certifications within a year while enrolling for a bachelor’s degree in data science to deepen his knowledge of machine learning and related technologies.
His experience illustrates the growing importance of professional learning in a sector where tools and technical practices change rapidly.
However, individual commitment alone cannot address every skills gap. Public institutions also need to create opportunities for staff to attend relevant training, participate in technical workshops and apply new knowledge in their workplaces.
Training programmes should be linked to institutional needs rather than pursued only to accumulate certificates. A worker responsible for government databases, for example, may require different training from a professional managing cybersecurity, digital identity or public-facing online services.
Employers can support development through structured learning plans, mentoring, professional certification and collaboration with universities and technology organisations.
The broader challenge is to make professional development a regular part of public-sector work rather than an activity undertaken only when a new system is introduced.
The summit also provided a platform for professional networking and knowledge exchange among public servants, academics, technology practitioners and other stakeholders.
Indigenous datasets and the challenge of building AI for Nigeria
Another important issue raised at the summit was the need to develop indigenous datasets that better reflect Nigeria’s social, linguistic and cultural realities.
AI systems depend heavily on the data used to train, test and evaluate them. When the available information does not adequately represent the people and environments in which a system will operate, its results may be less useful or less accurate.
Nigeria’s linguistic diversity presents a particular challenge. A system trained mainly on information from other countries or dominant global languages may struggle to interpret local expressions, names, public-service terminology and cultural contexts.
This can affect the usefulness of AI tools in education, agriculture, healthcare information, public administration and other areas where local circumstances matter.
Participants warned against excessive reliance on foreign datasets and advocated the development of information resources capable of supporting solutions designed for Nigerian needs.
Building such datasets requires more than collecting large quantities of information. Data must be relevant, reliable, appropriately documented and handled in accordance with applicable privacy and legal requirements.
Personal information should not be collected or shared indiscriminately in the name of innovation. Institutions need procedures for establishing lawful access, protecting sensitive records, managing permissions and preventing misuse.
Researchers and technology developers also need to understand the limitations of the data they use. A dataset that excludes particular communities or regions may produce results that do not serve those groups adequately.
Collaboration between universities, government agencies, local technology companies and research institutions could help expand the availability of reliable Nigerian data while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
The development of locally relevant datasets would not eliminate every problem associated with AI, but it could help make some systems more responsive to the people they are intended to serve.
Cybersecurity must accompany digital transformation
Cybersecurity and data sovereignty were also central themes at the summit.
As government institutions adopt more digital systems, they must protect the information those systems hold and ensure that authorised users can access services when needed.
Weak security can expose institutions to data theft, fraud, unauthorised access, service interruptions and the loss or manipulation of official records. These risks can undermine public confidence and create additional costs for institutions and citizens.
The transition from paper-based processes to digital systems may improve efficiency, but it also changes how information is stored, transferred and protected.
Public-sector organisations therefore need security practices that match the sensitivity of their data and the risks associated with their operations.
These measures can include stronger authentication, timely software updates, secure backups, access controls, staff awareness programmes and clear procedures for responding to incidents.
Staff training is particularly important because cyber threats can exploit human behaviour as well as technical weaknesses. Phishing messages, fraudulent links, impersonation and unsafe handling of documents can expose systems even when an organisation has invested in security software.
Institutions should ensure that employees know how to report suspicious activity and understand their responsibilities when handling official information.
Cybersecurity should also be considered before new technology is purchased or deployed, rather than added only after problems occur.
A digital service that is fast but insecure can expose citizens and government institutions to unnecessary risks. A secure system, meanwhile, must still be usable, accessible and properly maintained if it is to deliver meaningful benefits.
The summit’s emphasis on cybersecurity and data sovereignty underlined the importance of building public-sector technology systems that institutions can manage responsibly and citizens can trust.
Reliable electricity and internet access remain major obstacles
Participants also drew attention to poor electricity supply and weak internet connectivity as obstacles to the effective deployment of digital systems.
These infrastructure challenges can limit the benefits of otherwise useful technology. Online services may become unreliable when connectivity is weak, while interruptions to electricity can disrupt operations, delay transactions and make it difficult for staff to access digital records.
Library automation was among the practical examples discussed. Digital library systems can help institutions organise collections, improve record retrieval and reduce the time required for manual processes. But their effectiveness depends on adequate equipment, dependable power, internet access where required and staff who know how to operate and maintain the systems.
Similar challenges can affect digital services in government offices, schools and other public institutions.
Where connectivity is inconsistent, organisations may need systems that can continue performing essential tasks offline and synchronise information securely when connections return. Backup power and appropriate maintenance arrangements can also reduce disruption.
Infrastructure planning should consider the full cost of operating a system, including connectivity, electricity, equipment replacement, technical support and staff training.
Without such planning, institutions may invest in digital platforms that are difficult to maintain or accessible only under favourable conditions.
Improving infrastructure is therefore not separate from digital transformation. It is one of the foundations on which reliable digital services depend.
For communities with limited connectivity, the challenge also involves ensuring that digital reforms do not exclude people who cannot consistently access online platforms.
Governments must consider alternative channels and accessible service arrangements while working to expand digital access.
The gig economy creates opportunities and professional challenges
The summit’s theme focused on the emerging gig economy and its implications for information technology professionals working in the civil and public service.
The gig economy includes forms of work organised around projects, assignments, contracts and other flexible arrangements rather than conventional permanent employment alone.
Digital platforms have made it easier for some professionals to offer services remotely, work with clients across geographical boundaries and participate in projects without relocating.
For Nigerian technology workers, these developments may create opportunities in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud services, technical support and other specialised fields.
They may also enable professionals to supplement their income, develop portfolios and gain experience from different organisations.
But the expansion of flexible digital work creates questions about employment stability, professional ethics, confidentiality, intellectual property and the management of conflicts of interest.
These concerns can be particularly important for professionals employed by public institutions who may also be interested in private assignments.
Workers must understand the rules governing their employment and ensure that outside activities do not compromise official responsibilities, misuse government resources or expose confidential information.
Public institutions, in turn, need clear policies that distinguish permissible professional development and outside work from activities that create conflicts or security risks.
The gig economy also requires workers to manage their skills and professional reputation more actively. Project-based employment can involve fluctuating workloads, uncertain income and the need to continually demonstrate competence.
Training in communication, project management, data protection and professional ethics can therefore complement technical education.
The summit’s focus on the gig economy connected digital transformation with the wider question of how Nigerian workers can prepare for new forms of employment without weakening the standards expected of public service.
Digital innovation should improve citizens’ experience
The discussions also covered e-governance and digital innovation, highlighting the role technology can play in improving public administration.
Digital systems can help institutions process information, maintain records and communicate with citizens. When properly implemented, they may reduce repetitive manual tasks and make some services easier to access.
However, digitising an inefficient process does not automatically make it effective.
Public institutions must first understand the problem they are trying to solve and then determine whether technology can address it. They also need to ensure that systems work together where necessary, that records are accurate and that staff are equipped to maintain them.
A poorly designed online service can simply transfer existing difficulties from a physical office to a website or application. Complicated procedures, unclear instructions and unreliable platforms may leave citizens frustrated despite the appearance of modernisation.
Successful digital reform should therefore be judged by practical outcomes: whether services become more accessible, whether processing times improve, whether records become more reliable and whether institutions can respond more effectively to citizens.
Accessibility matters as well. People with disabilities, limited digital literacy or unreliable internet access may face barriers when essential services are available only through unfamiliar digital platforms.
Governments need to consider these users during the design and implementation of new systems.
Public trust is also important. Citizens should have a reasonable understanding of how their information is collected, used and protected, particularly where automated tools support administrative decisions.
The summit’s emphasis on responsible innovation points to the need for technology projects that combine technical performance with accountability and public value.
Professional bodies and institutions have a role to play
The NITPCS summit brought together professionals and stakeholders from across the technology and public-service landscape.
According to reporting by The Fellow Press, the event included contributions from the Nigeria Computer Society, the Computer Professionals Registration Council, the National Youth Service Corps and other professional and public institutions.
Such participation can help connect technical expertise with the institutional responsibilities of government.
Professional bodies can contribute by encouraging continuing education, promoting ethical standards, facilitating knowledge exchange and helping practitioners understand changes in technology and professional practice.
Universities and polytechnics can support the same objectives by updating curricula, strengthening practical training and creating opportunities for students to work on real-world problems.
Government agencies, meanwhile, need to identify the skills and infrastructure required to deliver their services and ensure that technology investments are aligned with those needs.
Technology companies can contribute expertise, tools and training, although public institutions must retain responsibility for evaluating whether a product is appropriate, secure and sustainable.
Cooperation between these groups can reduce the risk of isolated projects that do not connect with broader institutional goals.
It can also help create clearer pathways for students and early-career professionals to move from education into employment.
Seventy-six IT professionals inducted
The summit was also associated with the induction of 76 information technology professionals into NITPCS and the recognition of seven distinguished Nigerians for contributions to digital innovation, public service, community development and higher education.
A report published by Rectitude News on October 8 said the induction and awards ceremony formed part of the 2026 annual summit at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
The report identified Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as a recipient of the NITPCS Distinguished Governor’s Award on Digital Literacy Leadership and Inclusion. The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, was reported to have received an award for sustainable community development.
Other reported recipients included Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, recognised for digital innovation in civil and public service, and Professor Ganiyu Adesola Aderounmu, recognised for innovation in the public sector.
The ceremony highlighted the role of professional recognition in encouraging expertise and innovation.
However, the practical contribution of an expanding professional community will depend on how effectively its members apply their knowledge to the needs of institutions and citizens.
The induction of new members provides an opportunity to strengthen professional networks, support mentoring and promote continuing development across government organisations.
Source: Rectitude News — NITPCS inducts 76 IT professionals, honours Zulum, Olofa, six others.
What should happen after the summit?
The summit’s recommendations raise practical questions about how its discussions can translate into measurable improvements.
One priority is the development of structured digital training programmes for public servants. Such programmes should reflect the different responsibilities of staff and cover relevant subjects, including cybersecurity, data management, AI literacy and digital service delivery.
A second priority is for institutions to establish clear guidance on AI use. These policies should explain which applications are permitted, how sensitive information must be handled, when human review is necessary and how errors should be addressed.
Third, public organisations need to assess their infrastructure requirements. Reliable electricity, adequate connectivity, suitable equipment and maintenance budgets should be considered alongside the purchase of software and other digital tools.
Fourth, agencies and research institutions should explore ways to develop locally relevant datasets while protecting privacy and ensuring appropriate data governance.
Finally, institutions should evaluate technology projects based on results rather than the number of tools installed or training sessions conducted. Measures could include system reliability, staff competence, processing times, service accessibility, security performance and citizen feedback.
The summit itself cannot guarantee these changes. Implementation will require decisions by the relevant institutions, resources, technical expertise and sustained monitoring.
The next edition of the gathering is scheduled to take place in Ile-Ife, Osun State, in the second week of October 2027, according to the summit report published by The Fellow Press. The organisers have indicated that the next programme is expected to include more workshops and in-depth discussions.
Nigeria’s digital future depends on people as much as technology
Nigeria’s ability to benefit from artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will depend on more than access to new tools.
Public institutions need workers who can use technology competently, leaders who understand its opportunities and risks, infrastructure that supports reliable operations, and policies that protect citizens while allowing innovation to develop.
The discussions at the NITPCS summit in Offa placed these requirements within the context of a changing labour market and the growing importance of digital public services.
The calls for responsible AI adoption, continuous training, stronger cybersecurity and indigenous datasets reflect the need to build technology capabilities that respond to Nigerian realities.
They also highlight the importance of maintaining professional judgement and accountability as more tasks become automated.
For citizens, the ultimate measure of digital transformation will be whether it produces more dependable services, protects personal information, improves access to public institutions and creates meaningful opportunities for workers.
For government agencies, the challenge is to turn discussions about innovation into practical plans, allocate resources and evaluate outcomes.
The summit has brought these issues into focus. Its lasting significance will depend on the extent to which institutions and professionals act on the recommendations and make digital technology work more effectively for the public.
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