As the digital revolution continues to transform workplaces around the world, debates about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of labour have intensified. In Nigeria, these discussions took centre stage at the recent 2025 Conference of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria, held in Ibadan, Oyo state. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, addressed delegates, sounding a warning about the implications of rapid technological changes for workers across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
The conference, hosted at the Golden Tulip in Ibadan, reflected on the theme, “The Future of Work in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” Ajaero urged both policymakers and union leaders to take proactive measures in preparing the workforce for an era in which machines and algorithms could reorganise the very foundations of employment and income distribution.
Taxing Tech Giants to Secure Workers’ Futures
At the heart of Ajaero’s address was a call for governments to impose a tax on the profits of major technology corporations and industries heavily reliant on automation. He proposed that the revenue generated from such levies should be channelled into comprehensive programmes for retraining and upskilling workers whose jobs are threatened by technological unemployment. “We must bargain for comprehensive retraining and upskilling programmes, funded by a tax on the excessive profits of the tech giants and automated industries,” he said during his keynote.
Across the globe, there have been growing calls for the taxation of digital giants—such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon—who report record profits while automating large portions of their operations. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), increased automation could render millions of jobs obsolete in developing regions unless measures are put in place to absorb displaced workers. For African economies, where youth unemployment remains high, the risks are even greater.
AI as a Double-Edged Sword
While advocates often tout AI as a driver of economic efficiency and growth, Ajaero asserted that corporations were leveraging new technologies to deepen exploitation, weaken labour rights, and exacerbate income inequality. “Our struggle is to socialise the benefits of AI and robotise the burdens, ensuring it leads to a society with more leisure, greater security, and shared prosperity for the working class,” he remarked.
This statement resonates strongly in Nigeria, a nation where informal work and precarious employment conditions are widespread. Many local observers, including labour scholars such as Dr. Funmi Ojo of the University of Lagos, have warned that unless government policy keeps pace with technological advancement, large sectors of the workforce could be left behind.
Ajaero framed the rise of artificial intelligence as “the modern face of the class struggle,” warning that executives and shareholders stand to benefit unless collective action is taken. He argued, “They sell us a narrative of efficiency and progress, but we must see it for what it truly is: a tool for maximising profit by de-skilling jobs, casualising labour, and ultimately, weakening the collective power of the working people.”
The Threat to Traditional Labour Protections
According to the NLC president, without adequate legal protections, there is a risk that AI will undermine time-honoured labour safeguards, such as collective bargaining and the right to unionise. He cautioned that unchecked deployment of technology could create a “digitally dispossessed underclass”—workers whose skills are no longer valued and whose job security is threatened by relentless automation.
“We must fight for robust legal frameworks that guarantee the ‘Right to Disconnect’, strictly limit algorithmic surveillance, and ensure that productivity gains from AI are shared through shorter workweeks with no loss of pay,” Ajaero urged. This call echoes similar proposals currently under debate in the European Union and other jurisdictions, where labour groups have demanded new rules to address the challenges of an always-connected, AI-driven workplace.
Labour Writers’ Role in the Age of AI
Turning to the audience of journalists and labour writers, Ajaero underscored their essential function in shaping the discourse around work and technology. He appealed to reporters to remain vigilant and amplify workers’ stories and concerns. “Your typewriters, recorders, and keyboards are no less important than our placards and negotiation tables. They are the instruments with which we shape the narrative, counter the propaganda of the bourgeoisie, and awaken the consciousness of the masses,” he told delegates.
This perspective is particularly relevant in West Africa, where the media has historically played a key role in advancing social justice, exposing abuses, and pressuring government officials for reforms. Lagos-based labour commentator Mrs. Comfort Anichebe noted, “Media voices keep the public aware of the impact of policy shifts. If journalists go silent, workers risk being left in the shadows.”
Tensions at the Dangote Refinery: A Test Case
To underscore the ongoing fight for workers’ rights, Ajaero referenced recent disputes at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical complex. According to reports cited by the NLC, management at the complex has attempted to prevent employees from joining unions, allegedly violating provisions of Nigeria’s Labour Act, the Constitution, and international conventions on freedom of association.
“The recent violations of the rights of workers to join unions and the reckless attempts at de-unionisation of workers, all in the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical, bear testimony to the unrelenting and pervasive power of corrosive capitalism,” Ajaero alleged. Legal experts point out that such claims, if substantiated, could have wide-ranging consequences not only for the business in question but for the broader industrial relations climate in Nigeria. According to labour law consultant Barrister Femi Oladipo, companies found breaching workers’ rights may face sanctions from both national regulators and international bodies.
Unity as the Ultimate Defence
Despite the mounting challenges posed by technological and corporate forces, Ajaero affirmed that solidarity remains workers’ most powerful tool. “There is no room for neutrality in the face of this attempt to subjugate us to the forces of oppression. To stand on the sidelines is to side with the oppressor,” he declared passionately. “They have their AI, but we have our WE. Our collective power, our solidarity, is the ultimate intelligence no machine can replicate or break.”
As debates around AI and automation continue to evolve, Nigeria’s experience could provide important lessons for other emerging markets grappling with the double-edged nature of technological progress. While technology promises new opportunities, its adoption must be carefully managed to ensure an inclusive future that does not leave workers behind. Some industry players have also begun to advocate for proactive collaboration between government, labour, and private sector leaders—although differences persist over how best to structure regulation for all stakeholders.
Comparative Perspectives: Lessons from Across Africa
Countries like South Africa and Kenya have taken steps to cushion workers from disruptive technological shifts, such as investing in technical education and mandating employer contributions for retraining. Ghana has seen a surge in digital entrepreneurship, but concerns persist regarding job security in traditional sectors. Nigerian policymakers and union leaders could draw inspiration from these models to craft Nigeria-specific solutions.
The conversation about the future of work, particularly in Africa, is far from over. For millions of Nigerians, and indeed West Africans, the challenge remains clear: how to harness technological innovation without sacrificing equity and social stability. As experts continue to debate solutions, the role of a vigilant press, proactive regulation, and steadfast unity among workers cannot be overemphasised.
What’s your view on the future of work and automation in Nigeria and Africa? Should tech giants be taxed to fund retraining for workers? Drop a comment below and join the conversation—your perspective matters!
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