As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries globally, Nigerian insurers and chief information officers have been tasked with taking the lead in adopting the technology responsibly to drive innovation while safeguarding against its risks.
Speaking at the 13th Annual Nigerian Insurers Association Chief Information Officers Conference held in Lagos on Saturday, a cybersecurity expert/chief executive officer of Digital Encode Ltd, Professor Obadare Adewale, emphasised the urgent need for ethical and strategic AI deployment in the insurance sector.
Adewale, who is a Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity, called on technology leaders to move beyond the hype and develop clear AI business strategies that align with organisational goals. He said responsible AI adoption was crucial not just for operational efficiency but also for customer trust, regulatory compliance, and long-term business sustainability.
“Proper use of AI can elevate some CIOs to Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers. It is your responsibility to lead digital transformation in your organisations,” he said.
He advised CIOs to avoid unethical adoption of AI and instead align AI deployment with clearly defined business goals. “You also must identify specific challenges or opportunities where AI will make the most impact. Engage in training and research industry trends,” he said.
Adewale also stressed the need for adequate infrastructure to support AI projects, saying, “You also need to evaluate your technological infrastructure to ensure it can support AI projects.”
In his presentation, a cloud engineer with Clousa Africa, Mr Ademola Adeagbo, highlighted the practical benefits of AI Copilot—a next-generation tool designed to boost productivity and decision-making in insurance operations. According to him, AI Copilot can assist insurers in summarising online meetings, prioritising customer communications, analysing risk data, and processing claims more efficiently.
“With tools like AI Copilot, underwriters can improve turnaround time, tailor insurance products more precisely, and enhance customer satisfaction,” Adeagbo noted.
Also speaking at the conference, Head of AI and Innovation at Turnkey Africa, Mr Shikoli Makatiani, outlined steps for integrating AI into core insurance workflows, stressing the need for strategic planning and change management.
A technical consulting engineer at Cisco, Mr Theodore Chukwudi, added that AI must be deployed with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, especially in an age where data breaches and digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The three-day event, which began on Friday, brought together key stakeholders from across the insurance and tech ecosystems to explore the evolving role of AI in transforming insurance services in Nigeria.
