PenCom DG Calls for Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Secure Workers’ Future in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

By Afolabi Oyekunle.

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, has 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 made the call during the 2025 Conference of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), themed “Future of Work in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: A Wake-Up Call for Stakeholders,” held at the Golden Tulip Conference Hall, Jericho, Ibadan.

Delivering her goodwill message, the PenCom DG described the conference theme as both “timely and vital,” emphasizing that the evolving world of work, driven by AI and digital transformation, demands renewed collaboration among government, labour, and industry players.

Highlighting PenCom’s commitment to digital innovation, 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,” Oloworaran said.

She lauded LAWAN for leading the conversation on the future of work, noting that such discourse is crucial to shaping a fair and inclusive labour ecosystem in Nigeria.

Oloworaran further commended media professionals for their dedication to workers’ welfare and their role in promoting awareness about pension reforms. According to her, PenCom regards the media as a vital partner in building a reliable, inclusive, and sustainable pension system for all Nigerians.

She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian workers are adequately equipped to navigate the AI-driven economy with confidence and security.

“We are confident that the ideas exchanged here will spark actionable solutions to secure the future of work for Nigerian workers,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, The National President of the 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.

ASSIBIFI National President Comrade Oluwole at the Summit.

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. 

Also speaking, The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (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.

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 workers who make up over 80% of the labour force, but expressed optimism that AI could also be used to enhance social protection systems through digital identity and predictive analytics.

“We must ensure that every innovation serves humanity, not replaces it. No machine can feel hunger, anxiety, or hope,” he added.

In a goodwill message, Comrade Solomon Adebosin, Executive Secretary of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), echoed similar concerns, warning against using technology to sideline human workers.

“We should not allow machines to take over and put workers in jeopardy,” Adebosin cautioned. “Whatever technology is deployed, we must ensure human beings remain central to production. 

Meanwhile, The Executive Secretary of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employers Federation (CANMPEF), Mr. Femi Oke, has urged Nigerian employers to take proactive steps in preparing their workforce for the sweeping changes brought by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. 

Speaking on the theme “Employers’ Preparation and Response to the Artificial Intelligence Revolution in the Workplace: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities,” Oke emphasized that AI is redefining work globally and employers must respond strategically to avoid disruption.

Citing a report by the World Economic Forum, Oke noted that AI could automate up to 30 per cent of global work tasks by 2030 but would also create new roles requiring collaboration between humans and machines.. 

He stressed that “AI will not replace humans, but humans who use AI will replace those who do not.” According to him, African nations like Nigeria face both opportunities and challenges in the transition, including poor infrastructure, weak data systems, and inadequate skills among workers.

Oke said that while AI is transforming sectors such as fintech, education, agriculture, and healthcare, Nigeria’s employers must balance enthusiasm with readiness. He outlined five strategic imperatives for organizations: reassess job structures, invest in digital capability, adopt responsible AI, protect employee welfare, and maintain open social dialogue. “These are not optional choices,” he said. “They are preconditions for sustainable AI adoption and national competitiveness.”

He called for urgent investment in reskilling and lifelong learning, pointing out that 65 per cent of children entering school today will eventually work in jobs that do not yet exist.

 According to him, employers must collaborate with government and educational institutions to establish digital academies and training partnerships. “Continuous learning is not a luxury—it is a survival strategy in the age of AI,” he added.

Highlighting ethical concerns, Oke warned against bias and misuse of AI-driven systems, urging employers to establish governance frameworks that ensure transparency and fairness. He cited Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (2023) as a model to strengthen accountability and public trust in technology use. He also called for stronger digital infrastructure, including reliable broadband and cybersecurity, as the backbone of AI development.

Oke further emphasized the human dimension of technological change, saying successful AI adoption depends on leadership empathy and worker inclusion. He urged employers to communicate openly about automation plans, provide retraining opportunities, and build trust through collaboration with trade unions. “AI is a cultural transformation as much as a technological one,” he said. “Winning hearts is as crucial as upgrading systems.”

Concluding, the CANMPEF executive secretary said Nigeria stands on the brink of a technological renaissance but must act decisively to harness AI’s potential for inclusive growth. “The goal is not to choose between humans and machines but to integrate both into a shared vision of productivity and dignity,” he declared. “Artificial intelligence may power the tools of tomorrow, but it is human intelligence—compassionate, creative, and ethical—that must power the future of work.”