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Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have endorsed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve legislative drafting, expand citizen participation in policymaking, and strengthen democracy across West Africa.
The commitment came during the Parliament’s 2025 Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which also hosted its Second Parliamentary Seminar themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region.”
Lawmakers were urged to use AI to drive growth in key sectors while ensuring that digital tools remain inclusive and ethically guided.
In her inaugural address, Speaker Hajia Memounatou Ibrahima described AI as a “global competitive tool” capable of fostering communication between parliamentarians and citizens to advance social and economic development. “Legislators within the region must harness AI to improve democracy by providing a better regulatory framework,” she said.
Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Jibrin Barau, highlighted AI’s transformative potential in governance and oversight. He called on lawmakers to identify risks and chart a responsible path for its adoption. “AI presents opportunities to enhance efficiency, strengthen accountability, and promote development,” Barau noted.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, urged legislators to craft laws ensuring that AI supports democratic governance rather than undermines it. He stressed the need to adapt AI to local traditions and governance structures.
Ahmed Dunoma, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added that AI is already shaping education, health, security, and commerce. “The challenge is not whether AI will transform our societies, but how we as leaders and parliamentarians will guide that transformation to strengthen democracy and improve lives,” he said.
Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule welcomed the seminar, pledging vigilance over the ethical, security, and socio-economic implications of AI, especially in a region facing a digital divide, unemployment, and cyber threats.
