At LAWAN's 2025 Workshop, stakeholders assure Artificial Intelligence will boost of productivity, not threat to loss of jobs

 

By allcitynews.blog

As the fear of  the advent and activities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is dominating workplaces across all sectors of the economy, journalists covering Nigerian workers' wellness and pension matters, under the umbrella of Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), decided to devote the 2025  workshop on seeking and coming out with  the merits and the demerits  of  ArtificialIntelligence (AI).

Speaking during the event which took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, October10, 2025, participants in unanimous decision assured Nigerian workers of the immense contributions that would be  derived from era of  AI.

Just as the panel of discussants, made  up of four technocrats with Adenike Ajiboye as moderator, during the technical session, came out with their submission that era of AI would be added advantage to  production in workplaces provided employees and employers are ready to embrace continuous capacity training and retraining to enable them cope with the  growth that would take place by use of Artificial Intelligence.

In their unanimous decision, they charged employers to deploy AI to boost productivity, rather than using it as licence to exploit workers.

They urged employers to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity and not as a tool to exploit workers.

Discussing on the theme "Future of work in the era of Artificial intelligence: A wake-up call for Stakeholder ”, A Wake-up Call For Stakeholders”, the captains of industries reiterated that as human beings are the engine rooms for the perfect operation of AI, Nigerian workers should brace up to adopt the use of AI than entertaining fear.

NLC President 

However, on his part, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who was represented by NLC Lagos State Chairman, Comrade Funmi Sessi, in his message, noted that AI, under capitalist control, poses a threat to workers’ rights and collective power.

According to Ajaero, “the future of work in the era of AI is a pivotal battlefield in the ongoing struggle between workers and those who want to exploit them.”

He cautioned that AI, though presented as technological progress, could deepen inequality by enabling job casualisation, de-skilling, and digital surveillance, while eroding workers’ bargaining power.

“AI in the hands of big capital is primarily a tool for intensifying exploitation, reshaping labour relations towards greater precarity, and eroding the very foundation of workplace rights.”

ASSBIFI President

Similarly, the President of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) Comrade Olusoji Oluwole, called on unions and workers to take proactive steps to shape the future of work in a way that ensures technology serves humanity, promotes decent work, and protects workers’ rights.

The President of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Olusoji Oluwole, has urged trade unions to urgently reinvent themselves in response to the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the global workforce, warning that failure to adapt could render unions obsolete.

In a paper titled “Job Security and the Future of Trade Unions in the AI Era,” Comrade Oluwole described AI as a continuation of technological evolution that began decades ago, noting that it represents the “fourth industrial revolution.”

He observed that while AI presents opportunities for innovation and new skill creation, it also poses significant threats to job security, particularly in routine and low-skilled roles. “Before AI, the functions threatened were minimal, but today, almost every sector — including technology itself — faces job displacement,” he said.

Citing the World Economic Forum, Oluwole revealed that between 15 and 30 percent of existing jobs are already under threat due to AI, with the potential for higher displacement as the technology advances.

Oluwole, who was among the panelists warned that trade unions now face dwindling membership caused by automation, high employee mobility, reduced employment opportunities, and the decline of physical workplaces. “The danger is not only for unions but also for workers in the AI space who risk exploitation without adequate representation,” he said.

He stressed that global employers may exploit workers from developing countries by offering lower wages and poor working conditions if unions fail to act swiftly.

To counter these risks, the ASSBIFI president called on unions to “shift focus from merely negotiating wages and welfare to adapting technology to rebuild the workers’ movement.”

He recommended that unions:review their traditional roles to accommodate the informal and gig economies. organize workers within the tech space,  collaborate with global labour bodies such as ITUC and UNI Global, adopt AI-driven systems to improve organizing and advocacy.

Comrade Oluwole identified two key demographics affected by AI — aging or low-skilled workers who face job losses, and younger workers who stand to gain from emerging opportunities.

He said unions must negotiate fair compensation and upskilling programmes for older workers while supporting younger ones to acquire digital competencies. “Unions must also be involved in the design and implementation of AI to prevent discrimination, exploitation, and privacy violations through surveillance,” he added.

He urged continuous engagement between unions, government, and employers to develop an agenda that supports fair transition, including investment in training, infrastructure, and social protection.

In his concluding remarks, Oluwole emphasized that trade unions must embrace modernization and global collaboration to remain relevant.

“For trade unions to survive, we must become forward-looking, invest in AI tools, and build alliances across borders. AI should not be seen as a disruptor, but as an ally that can help reinvent and strengthen the labour movement,” he said.

NASU GS

Just as General Secretary of  Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Peters Adeyemi,  described AI as a double-edged innovation that, if wisely embraced, could enhance productivity and efficiency rather than eliminate jobs.

“I do not share the belief that AI has come to displace workers or destroy jobs. On the contrary, I believe AI is here to enhance productivity, save time, and empower workers who are willing to embrace it,” Adeyemi said.

He warned, however, against complacency among workers, stressing that responsibility for productivity ultimately rests with humans, not machines. “AI cannot think for us, nor can it take responsibility for our work,” he noted, adding that workers must remain vigilant about the quality and accuracy of AI-generated outputs.

Adeyemi also criticised what he termed the “policy of corruption” in governance, lamenting that corruption has become institutionalised in Nigeria, eroding the welfare and dignity of workers.

“The future of work is not to be feared, but to be shaped. Artificial Intelligence, if embraced wisely, can be a tool for liberation rather than oppression,” he added.

PenCom DG

Likewise,  PenCom DG,  Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, on her part, called on all stakeholders to rethink policies, processes, and protections for workers in the modern economy amid the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Oloworaran reiterated that "Just as artificial intelligence is transforming work patterns, Pension Revolution 2.0 is reshaping the retirement system—making it smarter, faster, and more responsive to contributors’ needs."

Furthermore, the pensions regulatory body leadership said, Oloworaran said the Commission’s Pension Revolution 2.0 reform agenda is strategically designed to leverage technology and reshape Nigeria’s pension administration.

She explained that the initiative focuses on automating key processes such as the issuance of Pension Clearance Certificates and benefits processing, while introducing a redesigned, technologically enabled Personal Pension Plan (PPP) to facilitate seamless onboarding of contributors.

“Just as artificial intelligence is transforming work patterns, Pension Revolution 2.0 is reshaping the retirement system—making it smarter, faster, and more responsive to contributors’ needs."

NSITF MD

And on his part,MD/CEO of NSITF,  Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, called for a comprehensive and inclusive reform of Nigeria’s social protection systems to shield workers from the disruptive impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the world of work and called for overhaul of Nigeria’s Social Protection System.

Making the call, the NSITF MD reiterated his called for a comprehensive and inclusive reform of Nigeria’s social protection systems to shield workers from the disruptive impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the world of work.

Faleye, while addressing the crowd on the topic, “Social Security and Protection for Nigerian Workers Amid AI Disruption” at the 2025 Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) Workshop, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Jericho.

Speaking on the theme, “Future of Work in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: A Wake-Up Call for Stakeholders,” the NSITF boss warned that Nigeria must act fast to ensure workers are not left behind as AI reshapes industries, jobs, and the global economy.

“The future of work is already here, and the choices we make today will define the dignity of labour for generations to come,” Faleye said. “AI is not the enemy of labour; ignorance is. The real danger lies in not preparing, not adapting, and not protecting.”

He explained that Artificial Intelligence has moved from being a tech buzzword to a daily reality that now influences operations in offices, banks, factories, and even newsrooms — raising urgent questions about job security and human dignity.

According to Faleye, while AI brings efficiency and innovation, it also poses existential challenges for traditional jobs, from factory workers and journalists to administrative staff. “Social protection must evolve. It must not only compensate; it must empower,” he said. “At NSITF, we are digitizing claims, expanding coverage for informal workers, and partnering with employers to future-proof Nigerian labour.”

The NSITF helmsman identified five priority actions to safeguard Nigerian workers in the AI era: Expanding social protection to include informal and gig workers, Investing in digital literacy and reskilling displaced workers, Leveraging AI to improve transparency and efficiency in benefit administration, Strengthening tripartite collaboration among government, labour, and employers, Ensuring that innovation begins with one question — “How does this improve the life of the Nigerian worker?”

Faleye stressed that Nigeria’s social protection coverage remains low, especially among informal sector.

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