ECOWAS Parliamentarians Urged To Harness AI For Democracy and Development
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes governance and economies around the world, West African lawmakers have been urged to seize its potential to strengthen democracy, boost accountability, and drive development across the region.
The call came on Monday at the opening of the Second Parliamentary Seminar of the ECOWAS Parliament in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region.”
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hajia Memounatou Ibrahima, described AI as a “global competitive tool” and challenged legislators to embrace it to improve regulatory frameworks and enhance citizen engagement.
Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Jubrin Barau, noted that AI was transforming societies worldwide.
He urged parliamentarians to deepen their understanding of the technology while addressing its risks to ensure it is harnessed responsibly for the benefit of the people.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, represented by Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, stressed that AI should support rather than replace democratic governance, calling for frameworks that balance innovation with traditional governance structures.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Dunoma, said AI had moved from “a distant possibility to a present reality,” influencing education, health, commerce, and security.
He warned that while AI offers immense promise, parliamentarians must remain vigilant about ethical and socio-economic implications, especially in a region facing digital divide and cyber threats.
The seminar, attended by parliamentarians and stakeholders across the region, is expected to provide practical pathways for ECOWAS lawmakers to leverage AI in lawmaking, oversight, and citizen engagement.
