Nigerian youths have been urged to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) positively, to embrace the endless possibilities of the technology with caution, and channel the knowledge in the right direction so as to build themselves into useful members of the society. The charge was given by Hon. Suleiman Gumi, Representative, Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, Zamfara State, during the 2025 Nigeria Safety and Security (NSAS) Awards/ Lecture, themed, ‘Revolutionising health and safety: The role AI and digitalisation at work”, organised by Media Centre for Promotion of Safety Awards (MCPoSA), held recently at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja, Lagos.
Gumi noted that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, because people need AI assistance to perform so many tasks, adding that the world is advancing and things are all about size, speed and efficiency, and AI helps navigate through realities that humans are facing. According to Gumi, “I think it’s okay to embrace the new technology. But we have to be very careful. We have to channel the knowledge in the right direction. If you use it for criminality, you can’t go far with it. But if you use it in a positive way, you can advance yourself. The world is open now for endless possibilities.”
The Rep said the best and the cheapest way to solve the issue of insecurity in the country is by the use of AI, stating that we do not need only boots on the ground now since airplanes are being flown by AI, as he added that with proper adoption of AI, within a short time, the government can eliminate all the bandits. “One person can control an airplane that will take off from point A and go and carry out a mission and come back without losing lives. with AI, you can send out drones to the forest and locate where the bandits are. And anybody carrying a gun, that AI can destroy that person and even the camps.”
For her part, Dr. Chinyere Amechi, the convener said the occasion also marks the International Labour Organisation (ILO) World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is held on April 28, every year. According to her, “This year’s theme, actually, is a global theme. This is ILO’s theme, so you domesticate it to what applies in your own country. From all we’ve gathered today, AI has come to stay. It has so many advantages, impacts on our jobs, gives us smart lives, smart workplaces and all that, but we should be cautious while embracing AI.
We have learned that there are some areas we have to be careful in patronising AI.” On the occasion being the 12th anniversary of the awards, she said, “A 12-year-old child is no longer a baby. When we started, things were gradual; first edition, we used half of this hall, people had not come to terms with what we’re doing. But now, we are gaining ground. As you can see here today, we’ve kept it. I believe in what we are doing. And that is why we are 12 today, and we are still counting”.
