Data Should Empower, Not Control — Osinbajo

Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called on policymakers and human resource professionals to ensure that technology and data are deployed to empower people rather than control them. He emphasized the need for ethical responsibility in managing the rapid transformation of today’s workplace.

Osinbajo made the call at the closing ceremony of the 57th International Conference and Exhibition of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) held in Abuja. The statement was issued on Saturday by the President and Chairman of CIPM’s Governing Council, Ahmed Gobir.

“Data should serve as a tool of empowerment, not control,” Osinbajo said. “Artificial intelligence has transformed every aspect of our world. The future of work is already here, shaped by digital innovation and our youthful population. We must continue to reskill and upskill to seize the opportunities ahead.”

Commending CIPM for its role in regulating people management in Nigeria, the former vice president noted that the institute had become a vital voice in promoting both innovation and ethics in the workplace.

His remarks come amid a global debate on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven management. While digital tools boost efficiency, experts warn that they could also lead to job losses, privacy violations, and workplace surveillance if misused.

Osinbajo urged HR leaders to champion ethical standards and establish clear policies guiding the responsible use of AI and data. “The ethical and responsible use of technology is critical. HR must take the lead in creating guidelines to regulate AI,” he said, also advocating for labour laws that reflect modern work realities.

Highlighting the human side of business, he called on employers to prioritise mental health, empathy, and inclusion as key drivers of productivity. “Employee well-being and mental health must be a priority. A culture of empathy and inclusion sustains productivity,” he noted.

“The future of work will not be defined by technology alone, but by how we integrate human values into its use. People, not technology, will shape the new world of work,” Osinbajo concluded.
He added, “Nigeria’s future will not be written by technology, but by people empowered to use it with wisdom, empathy, and vision.”

CIPM President Ahmed Gobir, in his remarks, urged participants to apply the lessons from the conference in their workplaces. “Translate the insights you’ve gained into tangible results,” he said, adding that the theme, ‘Reimagining the New World of Work’, underscored the need for HR professionals to remain agile and forward-thinking in an evolving digital landscape.

Founded in 1968, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria is the country’s foremost professional body for human resource management. Its annual conference is the largest gathering of HR practitioners in West Africa, bringing together experts from the public and private sectors to explore trends in leadership, workforce development, and technology-driven transformation.