By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko

In our contemporary world, professionals are inundated with unending stories about how technological sophistication and advances could take away their crafts, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. AI and robotics are sometimes portrayed as the factual Deus Ex Machina—the “god from the machine”—capable of literally multiplying wealth for those who possess these technologies.

We have similarly been inundated with fear-mongering tales that several of the skills we currently possess could be rendered obsolete by these scientifically advanced inventions, to the extent that even journalists and professionals and tradespeople such as chefs, drivers, typists, waiters, waitresses and bartenders have been told to prepare for redundancy. Some of the technology leaders funding these advances have also told us that the benefits of these inventions include the creation of enormous wealth.

As these fears grow over how artificial intelligence could reshape the job market and render many professionals redundant, the world’s richest technology leader, Elon Musk, has offered what one analyst described as a bold and controversial solution. Musk wrote on X: “Universal HIGH INCOME via checks issued by the Federal government is the best way to deal with unemployment caused by AI.”

Responding to one critic, Musk followed up with another claim: “AI/Robotics will mean everyone can have a penthouse if they want.” In the same breath, the technology mogul reasoned that output would be “orders of magnitude” higher, implying that scarcity would therefore cease to be a major concern.

Even the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the use of generative AI (GenAI) could decrease demand for some occupations, including transcriptionists and customer service representatives, over the decade ending in 2033.

But, as one might expect, the picture is considerably more complicated than that. The Bureau also estimates that the use of GenAI could increase demand for some professions, including software engineering, as workers will be needed to maintain the infrastructure upon which AI systems operate.

Experts, including economists and AI developers, have much to say about AI and the future of wealth. Their opinions touch on how much wealth AI and robotics will actually generate, the plausibility of universal basic income, and the future of employment.

The Catholic Church and the Ethics of Technology

The Catholic Church is obviously a major participant in the global conversation on science and technology, and the universal Church places considerable emphasis on ethics and morality in the evolution and development of science and innovation.

Pope Leo XIV has warned pointedly: “We must remain vigilant in this regard, lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.”

He has also warned against a subtle form of domination “when algorithms decide who is seen and who remains invisible, when digital platforms shape public discourse without accountability, and when the dignity of workers is subordinated to the optimization of systems.”

Family at the Heart of Legislation

For this reason, the Catholic Church proposes “the civilization of love” as a response to a “culture of power”, arguing that artificial intelligence should be governed through “charity, compassion and responsibility.”

The family, the Pope has said, is at the heart of this response because it is the first place where people learn “trust before calculation, generosity before competition, dialogue before division, and love before power.”

Pope Leo encouraged Catholic lawmakers to promote policies that “strengthen marriage and families”, support parents in “their educational mission” and enable young people to look to the future with confidence.

“Artificial intelligence must never be allowed to erode this primary cell of society—whether by reducing persons and relationships to data and simulations, by flooding young minds with content that distorts desire, or by economic models that make family life economically precarious,” he said.

The Human Limitations of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Recently, something happened in China that demonstrates how AI and robotics can only be as viable and effective as human beings allow them to be. The media reported that a bipedal Chinese humanoid robot, allegedly training for the World Humanoid Robot Games, went viral after losing control during a running test.

In a viral video shared by an X user, the robot can be seen running towards a barrier before crashing into it, with its body bending sharply at the waist and sparks coming from the machine.

The dramatic crash prompted social media users to describe the incident as the moment the “robot dies”. The incident reportedly occurred as robots prepared for the 2026 edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China. The event, which commenced on August 22, was expected to showcase thousands of robots and hundreds of teams.

According to reports, the humanoid robot was participating in a training session for the running competition when it appeared to lose control. In the video, it can be seen running at high speed and failing to stop before hitting a safety barrier.

The impact caused the robot’s body to bend at the waist, while sparks could be seen coming from the machine. The video was subsequently shared widely on social media and attracted millions of views.

The incident, while amusing to many observers, also provides an opportunity for a more serious reflection. Artificial intelligence and robotics remain human inventions. Their development, deployment and regulation must therefore remain subject to human judgment, ethical considerations and the broader interests of society.

I want to think alongside what the Catholic Church has said about advances in technology, artificial intelligence and robotics. These technologies should be properly legislated and regulated, with family values, human dignity and the common good placed far above the pursuit of technological sophistication and automation.

Fear-Mongering, Ethics and AI/Robotics

An article published online in a journal concerned with digital technologies and law addresses some of the anxieties surrounding the ethics of digital technologies and the legal governance of AI and robotics.

I agree with the author’s central argument that the purpose of AI was never to harm humanity. Nor was it originally intended to replace human beings or take over the human world. Rather, AI was developed to augment human capabilities, assist scientific discoveries, support people during natural disasters and pandemics, and improve efficiency across numerous areas of human activity.

AI already has numerous applications that can benefit humanity. These include medical care, mechanical engineering, semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, automated deliveries in difficult environments such as flood-affected areas, intelligent robotics in various industries, textile engineering, aviation, traffic management and space programmes, among many others.

However, the development of AI has now reached an unprecedented level, and it is increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by human beings. Many jobs and workflows are already being transformed or displaced by AI. That development, however, should not necessarily become a source of paralysing fear.

Technological development has historically created new forms of employment even as it eliminated or transformed existing occupations. What remains unclear is the precise balance between jobs lost and new jobs created by the latest wave of automation, particularly because the long-term effects of AI are still unfolding.

This is how technological development has progressed since the Industrial Revolution. Moving into a new domain of work after technology has disrupted an established profession is certainly not easy. We can recall the transformation of the textile industry following computerisation, when many jobs disappeared or changed and affected workers had to adapt to new forms of employment.

Once one area of work becomes obsolete or is fundamentally transformed, another area of development often emerges. When mobile phones became widespread, traditional landline telephone services declined dramatically. Yet the mobile communications industry subsequently created employment for millions of people around the world, from telecommunications engineers and software developers to manufacturers, retailers and service providers.

The lesson, therefore, should not be that humanity must fear every technological advancement. Rather, we must insist that technological progress remains subordinate to human dignity, ethical responsibility and the common good.

AI and robotics can become instruments for human development rather than instruments of human displacement. But achieving that objective requires responsible regulation, ethical leadership and policies that ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are broadly shared.

This is where Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on human dignity, family, responsibility and the common good becomes particularly relevant. The challenge before humanity is not simply whether machines will become more intelligent or capable. The greater question is whether human beings will remain wise enough to ensure that technological progress serves humanity rather than reducing human beings to mere components of an automated economic system.

Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko is the founder of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and a former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.

By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko

Going by the published timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the January 16, 2027 presidential election and the subsequent National Assembly elections, the official campaign period has commenced and will run for a staggering 150 days.

The truth, however, is that political campaigning under the present administration began more than two years ago. Politicians have long been travelling across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, addressing selected audiences and promoting their suitability for public office.

Indeed, as far back as two years ago, campaign billboards advocating the re-election of the incumbent president had become ubiquitous, with politicians openly canvassing support for a second and final term even when the President had barely completed two years in office.

By and large, Nigerian politicians, particularly during the current political dispensation, have demonstrated little respect for the rules governing political campaign engagements. For the purposes of this discussion, however, let us accept that the official campaign period has now commenced.

Significantly, presidential candidates of some political parties recently participated in the signing of the so-called peace accord, coordinated by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The politicians are already talking. But are they telling the electorate what they ought to be telling us? I have my strong doubts.

The National Broadcasting Commission has already issued directives warning broadcasting stations and online publishers, including bloggers, against using their platforms to disseminate misinformation, disinformation, fake news and hate speech.

The challenge, however, is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has numerous political aides whose activities appear, at least in the public arena, to be heavily focused on attacking his principal political opponents. The President, therefore, as both the incumbent and a presidential candidate, has a responsibility to ensure that his political supporters and appointees conduct themselves within the boundaries of civility and democratic engagement.

Similarly, opposition politicians and their supporters have also engaged in aggressive rhetoric and personal attacks against the President and members of his administration.

There must be an end to this political acrimony. It must give way to constructive debate about how the various political aspirants intend to address the multidimensional economic and social challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.

The Chairman of INEC has also urged politicians seeking public office to refrain from trading abuses and insults and instead speak to Nigerians about practical solutions to the challenges facing the country.

The Question of INEC’s Neutrality

Professor Joash Amupitan has become a controversial figure in some sections of the Nigerian public because of concerns and questions surrounding his neutrality. These concerns have been fuelled by allegations regarding past social media posts said to have expressed support for the candidacy of the incumbent president, who subsequently appointed him chairman of the electoral body.

Given the enormous importance of INEC and the central role it will play in conducting the 2027 elections, the chairman has a responsibility to address such concerns openly and convincingly.

Professor Amupitan has ample opportunity to reassure Nigerians that he will not act as a rubber stamp or political foot soldier of the administration that appointed him. The office of INEC chairman demands independence, impartiality and public confidence.

As a professor of law, Professor Amupitan would be expected to appreciate the constitutional and institutional obligations attached to his office. The principle is simple: the electoral umpire must remain above partisan interests and must conduct himself, in both appearance and substance, in a manner that inspires confidence among all political parties and the Nigerian people.

The old saying that “he who pays the piper dictates the tune” may have relevance in ordinary circumstances, but it cannot and must not apply to an institution constitutionally entrusted with conducting free, fair and credible elections.

Candidates Must Put the Constitution at the Centre

Coming to the candidates seeking public office in Nigeria, I would argue that every serious political aspirant—and most especially those seeking election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—must be guided by a fundamental commitment to constitutionalism.

The necessity of respecting constitutional norms cannot be overstated. The failure to respect constitutional provisions is one of the principal foundations of bad governance.

I therefore believe that presidential and National Assembly candidates should place prominently before themselves the provisions of Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

For those commencing campaigns to persuade Nigerians to entrust them with important public offices, the following constitutional principles should form the foundation of their political philosophy and, more importantly, their conduct in public life:

Section 14(1): The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.

Section 14(2): It is hereby, accordingly, declared that:

(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;

(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and

(c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

These provisions should not merely be recited during campaign speeches. They should become the guiding philosophy of anyone seeking to govern Nigeria.

HURIWA’s Challenge to Presidential Candidates

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which I founded about 19 years ago, has charged all presidential candidates participating in the 2027 general elections to use the 150-day campaign period to engage Nigerians on ideas, policies, development strategies and practical solutions to the country’s longstanding challenges.

The organisation has urged candidates to reject hate speech, ethnic mobilisation, religious sentiments and divisive rhetoric.

HURIWA said the commencement of the presidential campaign should mark the beginning of a serious national conversation about the future of Nigeria rather than another season of empty promises, political name-calling, character assassination and exploitation of the country’s ethnic and religious fault lines for electoral advantage.

The rights group therefore urged presidential candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with restraint, civility and respect for the constitutional rights of political opponents and other citizens.

In a statement signed by me, HURIWA said Nigerians deserve to know, in clear and measurable terms, what each presidential candidate intends to do differently if elected and, more importantly, how such programmes will be financed and implemented.

According to the organisation, candidates must go beyond attractive manifestos and campaign slogans. They should explain the specific strategies, timelines, institutions and resources that would be deployed to achieve their promises.

HURIWA said the central issues in the 2027 presidential campaign must include national unity, poverty reduction, employment creation, economic stability, industrialisation, human rights, constitutionalism, security and the rule of law.

The organisation maintained that Nigeria cannot continue to conduct elections primarily around ethnic calculations, religious sentiments and regional interests while millions of citizens struggle with poverty, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

Economy and Industrialisation

HURIWA challenged presidential candidates to present convincing economic blueprints capable of moving Nigeria from an import-dependent and consumption-driven economy to one anchored in production, manufacturing, agriculture, technology and value addition.

Candidates must explain how they intend to reduce inflation, expand employment opportunities, support small and medium-sized enterprises, attract investment and create an environment in which industries can thrive across the country.

The organisation particularly called for concrete plans for the industrialisation of all 36 states of the federation, stressing that economic development must not remain concentrated in a handful of major cities.

According to HURIWA, every state possesses unique economic resources and comparative advantages which, if properly harnessed, could generate employment, increase internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on federal allocations.

The organisation also challenged candidates to explain how their administrations would attract genuine foreign direct investment, protect investors without compromising national interests, and deploy Nigeria’s foreign policy to advance economic development.

Security and Counter-Terrorism

On security, HURIWA urged presidential candidates to provide detailed strategies for addressing the persistent insecurity affecting communities across different parts of the country.

The group said the next administration must have a clearly defined strategy for achieving decisive progress in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

It also called for stronger institutional cooperation among the military, police, intelligence agencies and other security institutions.

HURIWA urged presidential candidates to support ongoing counter-narcotics efforts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), stressing that the fight against illicit drugs is directly connected to national security, youth development and the battle against organised crime.

Police Reform and Political Violence

The rights group also demanded that candidates state their positions on the establishment and development of functional policing institutions at both federal and state levels.

It argued that policing must be professional, accountable, adequately funded and insulated from partisan political control.

HURIWA specifically cautioned law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, against allowing themselves to become political instruments or “attack dogs” for politicians, especially those in power.

The organisation warned that the use of security agencies to intimidate, harass or suppress political opponents would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and weaken Nigeria’s democracy.

It called for zero tolerance for armed political thuggery, electoral violence, intimidation and the deployment of criminal elements during campaigns and elections.

According to HURIWA, security agencies must provide equal protection to all candidates, political parties and citizens, irrespective of political affiliation.

Human Rights, Rule of Law and Legislative Independence

HURIWA also challenged presidential candidates to make clear commitments to protecting fundamental human rights and strengthening the rule of law.

The group said respect for constitutional rights must not depend on whether a citizen supports the government of the day.

It also demanded clear commitments to the independence of the legislature, stressing that a functional democracy requires effective checks and balances among the three arms of government.

HURIWA said the National Assembly must be allowed to exercise its constitutional responsibilities without undue interference from the executive, while legislators must equally remain accountable to the Nigerian people.

Gender Equality

The organisation further urged presidential candidates to explain how their administrations would promote equality and equity for all genders in employment, politics, commerce, education and other areas of national development.

HURIWA said women and other historically underrepresented groups must not be treated merely as electoral audiences during campaigns and then forgotten after elections.

It urged political parties and candidates to demonstrate their commitment to inclusive governance through specific policies and measurable targets.

Billboards, Campaign Regulation and Freedom of Information

HURIWA also condemned what it described as attempts by some state governments to impose excessive fees on political billboards in ways that could restrict legitimate political communication.

While acknowledging the authority of state governments to regulate outdoor advertising and protect public spaces, the organisation said such regulations must not be converted into instruments for suppressing political expression or denying opposition parties a fair opportunity to communicate with voters.

It therefore called for reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory charges for campaign materials.

HURIWA equally urged candidates, political parties and their supporters to respect environmental regulations throughout the campaign.

Political mobilisation, it said, must not become an excuse for indiscriminate dumping of campaign materials, destruction of public infrastructure, obstruction of roads or other activities capable of degrading the environment.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

HURIWA said climate change and disaster preparedness must also become major issues in the 2027 presidential debate.

The organisation urged candidates to explain how they intend to address flooding, erosion, drought, extreme weather events and other climate-related challenges increasingly threatening communities and livelihoods across Nigeria.

It called for policies covering early-warning systems, flood control, urban planning, environmental protection, emergency response and climate-resilient infrastructure.

HURIWA said the devastating consequences of natural disasters can no longer be treated merely as seasonal emergencies requiring temporary government intervention.

Foreign Policy and Investment

The rights group also challenged presidential candidates to articulate foreign policy positions capable of restoring Nigeria’s influence on the African continent and strengthening its relationships with global economic partners.

Candidates, it said, should explain how Nigeria would deploy diplomacy to attract foreign direct investment, expand export opportunities, promote Nigerian businesses abroad and protect the interests of Nigerians living and working outside the country.

HURIWA stressed that foreign policy should be connected to Nigeria’s economic and development objectives rather than being treated solely as a matter of diplomatic protocol.

A Campaign of Ideas, Not Division

The organisation said the coming campaign period provides an opportunity for Nigeria to elevate its political discourse.

HURIWA therefore appealed to candidates, political parties, campaign organisations and their supporters to resist the temptation to exploit religious, ethnic and regional differences.

“The Nigerian people deserve a campaign of ideas, not a campaign of hatred; a campaign of development, not a campaign of division; and a campaign of accountability, not a campaign of propaganda.”

The organisation maintained that candidates should be prepared to subject their records and policy proposals to public scrutiny. They should tell Nigerians not only what they intend to do, but also how, when and with what resources they intend to do it.

HURIWA further called on the media, civil society organisations, professional bodies, religious institutions and the electorate to demand issue-based debates and hold candidates accountable for their promises.

The organisation said the 2027 election must ultimately be about the Nigerian people and their right to live in a secure, prosperous, democratic and rights-respecting country.

As campaigns commence, HURIWA urged Nigerians not to be carried away by political theatrics, lavish rallies or inflammatory speeches, but to carefully examine the records, competence, character and policy proposals of every candidate.

Nigeria deserves a campaign season in which ideas triumph over insults, policy defeats propaganda, and the interests of citizens prevail over the ambitions of politicians.

Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko is the founder of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and a former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in what it describes as a dangerous and potentially catastrophic assault on Abuja’s Master Plan, following fresh allegations of the conversion of designated green areas and drainage corridors into private residential developments.
HURIWA’s call follows a petition received from a concerned resident alleging that about 20 duplexes are currently being constructed on a designated green area in Maitama Extension, with the developers allegedly seeking to convert a canal into an access road after discovering that the proposed estate has no proper access route.
The Association considers the allegation extremely disturbing, particularly against the backdrop of the recent flooding witnessed in several parts of Abuja.
HURIWA warns that turning a natural water channel into a road or allowing construction to obstruct a designated drainage corridor could have devastating consequences during periods of heavy rainfall, potentially exposing surrounding communities to severe flooding.
The Association therefore demands an immediate investigation into the alleged development and wants the FCT Administration to publicly disclose who allocated the land, the approved purpose of the parcel, who authorised the development and whether the project obtained all necessary planning and environmental approvals.
HURIWA states categorically that if the allegations are established, such development would constitute a dangerous distortion of the Abuja Master Plan and an unacceptable threat to public safety.
The Association is particularly concerned that Abuja’s green areas, drainage corridors, canals and waterways appear to be increasingly treated as disposable real estate rather than as essential components of the city’s environmental infrastructure.
Abuja was deliberately planned with green belts, parks, gardens, waterways and drainage corridors to preserve ecological balance and provide natural channels for stormwater.
These spaces are not empty lands waiting to be converted into luxury estates. They are part of the infrastructure that keeps Abuja alive.
HURIWA recalls that it had previously raised the alarm over the alleged systematic erosion of the Abuja Master Plan through the reported conversion of public lands, green spaces and areas reserved for critical public infrastructure into private residential and commercial developments.
The Association had also raised concerns over allegations surrounding the reported conversion of land in Wuye District originally designated for a district hospital into a private residential development.
HURIWA reiterates that these allegations must be independently investigated, and where violations are established, appropriate sanctions should follow.

The Association is equally concerned about allegations that some politically exposed persons or individuals connected to influential political figures may be beneficiaries of disputed land allocations in the FCT.
While HURIWA emphasises that such allegations remain subject to verification and no individual should be condemned without evidence, the Association insists that political influence must not become a shield against investigation or enforcement of planning regulations.
RECENT FLOODS A WARNING
HURIWA notes that recent flooding in Abuja has given renewed urgency to these concerns.
Floodwaters reportedly affected homes and roads in several parts of the capital, including residences associated with the Kano State Deputy Governor and a former Inspector-General of Police.
Residents in some affected areas have blamed blocked or obstructed drainage channels for worsening the impact of the downpour.
HURIWA says the flooding should not be dismissed simply as a consequence of heavy rainfall.
The Association acknowledges the position of the FCT Administration that flooding occurred in parts of Abuja before the current administration and that the problem is also linked to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure, waste disposal and other factors.
However, HURIWA insists that the fact that Abuja experienced flooding in previous years cannot be used to excuse any current action capable of aggravating the problem.
The critical question is whether government agencies are permitting developments that interfere with designated drainage channels, green buffers, canals and waterways.
That question requires a transparent answer.
HURIWA therefore calls on the FCT Administration to make public the status of the alleged Maitama Extension development and immediately halt any construction found to be taking place on a protected green area or drainage corridor pending investigation.
TINUBU MUST ORDER A FORENSIC REVIEW

HURIWA consequently calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct a comprehensive and independent review of land allocations and development approvals across the FCT, particularly those involving: designated green areas;
parks and gardens;
drainage corridors;
canals and waterways;
public infrastructure sites; and other spaces protected under the Abuja Master Plan.
The Association further urges the National Assembly to urgently exercise its oversight powers by investigating alleged distortions of the Abuja Master Plan and the environmental consequences of such developments.
HURIWA also demands that the relevant authorities establish whether any canal or drainage channel has been filled, narrowed, blocked or converted for private development in the Maitama Extension area and other parts of Abuja.
The Association warns that allowing the unchecked conversion of waterways and green areas could turn today’s flooding incidents into tomorrow’s full-scale environmental disaster.
Abuja cannot be planned on paper and destroyed on the ground.
HURIWA therefore urges President Tinubu to act immediately, insisting that the protection of Abuja’s Master Plan is not merely an administrative responsibility but a matter of national security, public safety and environmental survival.
The Association maintains that the nation’s capital must not become a casualty of unchecked real estate expansion, administrative negligence or alleged abuse of political influence.
The time to save Abuja is now—before the next flood forces the country to confront a disaster that could have been prevented.