As Nigeria’s workplaces embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation, workers and employers face a crucial challenge: how to integrate technology while safeguarding mental health, safety, and job security. At a time of rapid technological change and economic uncertainty, the balance between efficiency and human welfare is under intense scrutiny. The issue is especially pressing in Nigeria’s chemical and non-metallic products sector, where high technical complexity meets global competition, yet worker anxiety over redundancy and job security grows.
The 30th Annual National/Industrial Relations Seminar of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (CANMPSSAN) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, spotlighted these concerns. Segun Samson David, CANMPSSAN President, emphasized that technological progress must respect human values. “Technology should never replace human dignity or the right to safe, secure employment,” he said, framing innovation and human welfare as inseparable elements of sustainable industrial relations.
Industry leaders highlighted AI’s potential and limitations. Gbemiga Owolabi, HR Director at Lafarge Africa Plc, noted that AI optimizes predictive maintenance, safety monitoring, and workforce planning but warned that without ethical oversight, it could increase workforce anxiety and inequality. He stressed that AI must complement human intelligence, with reskilling, ethical policies, and transparent communication ensuring workers remain empowered and engaged.
Experts also addressed the human costs of modernization. Femi Oke, Executive Secretary of CANMPEF, and Barrister Femi Adekunle of Dangote Cement emphasized that stress, mental health challenges, and redundancy must be managed proactively. They advocated for counselling, retraining, and transparent processes to allow employees to navigate change with dignity. Similarly, Emmanuel Eze, HR Manager at Emenite Ltd., explained that job security directly affects workplace safety, trust, and productivity, making human-centered policies essential.
Looking ahead, Dotun Adako, Group HR Director at BUA Group, highlighted the rise of self-sustainability, intrapreneurship, and digital literacy as tools for resilience in a rapidly evolving economy. He argued that combining employment stability with personal initiative empowers workers and strengthens economic resilience. Across the seminar, a shared conclusion emerged: the future of industrial relations in Nigeria depends not on machines alone but on prioritizing human welfare alongside technological innovation to ensure shared growth, productivity, and well-being.
source: The sun