The imperative for Nigeria to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for environmental management has never been more pressing. Experts have cautioned that failure to adopt AI could exacerbate climate impacts, resource depletion, and public health crises. This warning was underscored during the eighth memorial lecture of the late Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi, organized by the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) in Lagos.
The Scale and Speed of Environmental Degradation
Prof. James Akanmu, Head of Sustainable Procurement at the Environmental and Social Standards Centre of Excellence, University of Lagos, emphasized that traditional methods can no longer keep pace with the scale and speed of environmental degradation. He advocated for data-driven solutions, stressing that stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations, must work together to address environmental challenges.
A Call to Action for Stakeholders
Akanmu urged stakeholders to adopt circular economy principles, such as reuse, recycling, and repurposing, to mitigate environmental degradation. He also emphasized the need for Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards to translate into enforceable legislation and effective monitoring.
The Role of Engineers in Environmental Protection
The NIEE National Chairman, Nureni Adegboyega Ogunyemi, highlighted the importance of collective action in tackling environmental challenges. Engineers, he said, must lead in adopting AI, drones, and modern monitoring tools for environmental protection, climate adaptation, and sustainable urban planning. The inauguration of the NIEE’s new Secretariat and Technology Resource Centre marked a significant milestone in promoting innovation, research, and collaboration among engineers and stakeholders.
The Future of Work: Leveraging AI
In a related development, experts stressed the need for organizations in Nigeria to leverage AI to bridge talent gaps, redefine employee experience, and align workplace policies with the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. The keynote speaker at the Phillips Consulting Talent Management Series, Daniel Nilsson, emphasized the importance of a skill-based approach, noting that companies that adopt this approach are more competitive, efficient, and better prepared for the future of work.
