HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NAIOP CONFERENCE ON HUMAN VALUES AND AI

By FeBi Bisayo

The National Association of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (NAIOP) annual conference brought together academic leaders, security experts, and policymakers to discuss navigating an AI-accommodating workplace

​The opening remarks set a forward-thinking tone for the event. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan urged professionals to stop worrying about whether AI will take their jobs, and instead focus on how to use it effectively. He noted that the conference would focus on three major themes: ethical guidance, re-skilling the workforce, and sustainable productivity. Right after this address, Prof. Obeyi Ehige, the Dean of The Social Sciences and President of NAIOP, gave his opening remarks and formally handed over leadership to the newly elected executive team.

​Bringing a practical perspective to the conversation, Major General Peter John Dauke spoke on integrating AI into security systems. He轉 emphasized that adopting AI does not mean eliminating human intelligence. Acknowledging that AI adoption in Nigeria is still in its early stages, he explained that its implementation requires careful consideration of the country's unique socio-political realities and diverse cultures. Ultimately, he encouraged the audience to view AI as a helpful tool rather than a human substitute, framing it as a vital path toward solving Nigeria's security challenges.

​The theme of national development continued with the keynote address by Mallam Lanre Issa, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). His speech focused on reorienting the Nigerian workforce using AI, values, and productivity. Mallam Lanre emphasized that the humans using AI should be those with high value, service, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and cooperation. He explained that humans with such skills would use AI ethically, responsibly, and productively. Furthermore, he noted that the productivity of Nigeria is not dependent on the economy alone, it’s also dependent on character. He also highlighted how the National Orientation Agency has grown in the digital space with different initiatives: the National Values Charter, the National Orientation Agency Media Hub, and CLHEEAN, their own ChatGPT.

​The final address was delivered by the lead speaker, Dr. Peter Ogudoro, who discussed the strategies and opportunities for psychologists in an AI-driven world. He pointed out that while Nigeria lags behind in many areas, properly harnessing AI could allow the country to leapfrog ahead. Interestingly, he cited statistics showing that traditional computer science roles will likely decrease or erode in the future as technology changes. However, he made it clear that AI cannot replace humans because it completely lacks emotional intelligence.

​To prepare for this future, Dr. Ogudoro called for a total paradigm shift. He challenged psychologists to step up, create clear action plans, establish multiple streams of income, and build a strong presence on the internet. He specifically highlighted a long-standing issue: many psychologists work for a long time and do not have a retirement plan to fall back on. By building an online presence and diversifying their income now, he concluded, professionals can successfully generate the resources they need to secure their future retirement.