ABUJA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at embedding ethics, cultural relevance and national identity into Nigeria’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence ecosystem, signaling what stakeholders describe as a decisive shift from passive adoption to active leadership in global AI development.
The collaboration was formally unveiled Tuesday in Abuja during a press conference marking the commencement of the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Awareness Day themed “Harnessing Ethical Artificial Intelligence for National Transformation, Inclusive Growth, and Economic Resilience.”
Speaking at the event, Acting President of NIPR, Professor Emmanuel Samu Dandaura, said Nigeria must deliberately position itself within the global AI conversation by ensuring emerging technologies reflect its languages, cultural realities and social values. He warned that unregulated technological expansion could distort human identity if not guided by ethical standards.
“We cannot afford to allow machines to redefine humanity in ways that erase our identity,” he said, adding that as regulators of reputation and communication management, NIPR is committed to ensuring artificial intelligence strengthens society without subordinating human values to algorithms.
Dandaura described NAAIP as one of the most credible bodies of AI professionals in the country and said the partnership would help deepen ethical awareness across sectors. He explained that NIPR’s involvement in AI governance aligns with its longstanding commitment to responsible communication and global standards, noting that the Institute is a signatory to international AI principles guiding public relations practice.
He also linked the initiative to the policy direction of the current governing council led by Dr Ike Neliaku, pointing to the theme of the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum 2026 scheduled for November 15–21 in Abuja — “Responsible Communication, Voice of the World” — as evidence of the Institute’s focus on integrity in the digital era.
Addressing concerns that artificial intelligence could displace workers, Dandaura urged young Nigerians to upgrade their skills and prepare for emerging opportunities rather than fear technological change. Training and capacity building, he said, will be a major area of collaboration between both organisations.In his remarks, President of NAAIP and former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, described the alliance as timely and strategic, calling for coordinated action among government, academia and the private sector to shape Nigeria’s AI future.
He outlined practical applications of artificial intelligence that could transform governance and infrastructure, including intelligent traffic systems capable of reducing congestion in major cities, predictive maintenance technology for the national power grid, and data-driven planning tools to improve transparency and accountability in public administration.
“This is not science fiction,” Ogunbodede said. “This is the practical application of AI that can strengthen infrastructure, improve public service delivery, enhance governance and optimise national planning.”
Both organisations stressed that Nigeria’s artificial intelligence future must be ethical, inclusive and rooted in national realities, underscoring their shared commitment to ensuring technological advancement aligns with societal values while positioning the country as a proactive voice in global AI discourse.
