The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has said that harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically and thoughtfully can unlock new horizons for human achievement, shape standards, professionalise practice and better the country’s governance architecture.
As countries invest in AI research and emerging markets, making significant strides, the institute said Nigeria cannot afford to stand aloof from the revolution but must lead the conversation on how AI could be harnessed ethically, responsibly, and effectively to improve institutions.
Speaking during the 49th yearly conference of the ICSAN, Chairman Udo Udoma, noted that while AI would impact every aspect of business and governance, responsibilities must be defined and systems in place to ensure accountability.
Udoma said it was critical to translate technological affordances into demonstrable gains in integrity, service delivery, and stakeholder trust.
He noted the importance of minimising regulatory risks in governing AI evolution, emphasising how the National Assembly was on the issues.
In his keynote address, Group Executive Director, Chams Holding Company, Dr Femi Oyenuga, while he described AI as a governance inflexion point, charged the institute with protecting integrity, enabling transparency, and ensuring human-centred accountability for better AI outcomes.
Noting that AI amplifies capacities and responsibilities, he said that if corporations exercise stewardship, insist on accountability, and build capability, it would ensure that AI serves excellence and the public good.
Oyenuga added that AI could also materially improve governance outcomes by predictive oversight, operational transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.
President and Governing Council Chairman of ICSAN, Uto Ukpanah, noted that artificial intelligence offered opportunities that could fundamentally transform governance when applied appropriately.
She said Nigeria, like many developing nations, should harness AI to transform the country’s electoral processes, improve financial accountability, modernise corporate governance, and enhance service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.
She also urged professionals and corporate leaders to embrace ethical AI to aid professional efficiency and boost the economy to ensure long-term development.
According to her, the rising influence of AI on governance and business operations requires deliberate attention and “AI has come to change the way things are done in many areas of human life, especially in the commercial world and professional milieu.”
