Lawmakers from across West Africa are raising the alarm over the possible dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI), even as they push for ways to use the fast-rising technology to improve governance in the region.
At the 2025 Second Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, MPs and experts agreed that while AI offers opportunities for efficiency in parliament, security, health, and agriculture, it also carries threats that must be carefully managed.
The two-day seminar, which runs ahead of the Parliament’s Second Extraordinary Session of the 6th Legislature, has the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region.”
Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, presided over Tuesday’s deliberations, where experts—Prof. Uche Mbanaso, Dr. Christian Odo, Theophilus Ukuyoma and Kamaldeen Samaila—shared insights on the use of AI across different sectors.
Second Deputy Speaker, Hadjaratou Traore, warned that the region must approach AI with caution, since its creation and control remain largely in the hands of Western and Asian powers. She urged ECOWAS to develop homegrown frameworks to adapt AI to local needs and ensure ethical use.
Fourth Deputy Speaker, Billay Tunkara, described AI as a force that “has come to stay,” but stressed that rigorous sensitization was necessary to prevent mass job losses in a region already struggling with unemployment.
Nigerian MP, Awaji Inombek Abiante, called for legal instruments to protect data and ensure transparency, adding that AI could strengthen the fight against corruption if leaders themselves are committed to openness.
Ghanaian MP, Laadi Ayi Ayamba, expressed concern about the impact of AI on young people, warning leaders not to embrace the technology blindly. “It is a good idea but we must be careful for the future of our children,” she said.
From Benin Republic, Nassirou Bako Arifari proposed that ECOWAS should seize the “historical opportunity” to draft a model AI law for West Africa, which member states could then adopt to create a regional AI space.
The MPs agreed that the region must not only embrace AI but also shape it in a way that protects jobs, safeguards ethics, and builds trust among the people.
About the Author
