Onome Amuge
Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s former vice president, has challenged human resource (HR) managers to lead efforts in shaping a people-centred future of work as technology and new employment models transform the global workplace.
Speaking at the 57th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE), Africa’s largest gathering of HR professionals and business leaders, Osinbajo set out a vision for HR professionals to not only adapt to technological changes but to actively shape how these technologies integrate with the workforce. His speech, titled “Reimagining the New World of Work – The Roles of HR Managers,” highlighted the role of HR in driving a people-centred future of work.
Osinbajo argued that while artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digitalisation are transforming how people work, the essence of work must remain deeply human. “HR managers must ensure that digital transformation efforts prioritize people, not just efficiency,” he stated, emphasising the need for organisations to focus on employee well-being, engagement, and inclusion as they integrate new technologies.
Osinbajo’s central thesis is that HR must lead humanised digital transformation. He explained that as organizations adopt new tools and processes, HR professionals must ensure that technology enhances, not diminishes, the quality of human experience in the workplace. This means creating environments where digital tools empower workers, improve collaboration, and drive innovation without eroding empathy or trust.
With automation and AI redefining job roles, Osinbajo underscored the urgent need for workforce reskilling and digital literacy. According to him, “With the pace of technological advancement, continuous learning is key.” He charged HR managers with the responsibility of developing strong learning ecosystems that equip employees with the competencies to thrive in a digital-first world.
He added that HR leaders must not only focus on training existing staff but also collaborate with educational institutions to prepare future talent. By influencing university curricula, HR can help ensure that Nigerian graduates possess the skills needed for emerging job markets, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
As digital systems and AI become integral to workplace decision-making, Osinbajo highlighted the importance of ethical guidance in technology deployment. He warned that without proper oversight, the growing use of AI could exacerbate biases and inequality. HR managers, he said, must therefore develop clear ethical frameworks around fairness, transparency, and accountability in technology use.
Furthermore, Osinbajo called on organisations to treat data as empowerment, not control. Instead of using data merely to monitor employee behavior, HR professionals should leverage analytics to understand workers’ needs, enhance productivity, and foster personal growth.
The former vice president also drew attention to the evolving structure of the modern workforce. He noted that with more employees engaging in freelance, remote, or hybrid arrangements, HR policies must evolve to reflect these realities. Osinbajo urged HR leaders to embrace flexibility in their policies while still safeguarding workers’ welfare and rights.
In his view, the post-pandemic world demands new thinking about organizational culture, one rooted in empathy and psychological safety. He encouraged HR professionals to create cultures where employees feel valued, supported, and safe to express themselves, noting that this is essential for creativity and resilience in today’s uncertain world.
Osinbajo also emphasised the need to cultivate leaders who manage innovation with humanity. While innovation is critical to competitiveness, he cautioned that leadership devoid of empathy could alienate workers and undermine trust. HR, he said, must champion leadership development programmes that blend technological competence with compassion, inclusivity, and ethical reasoning.
“The future of work in Nigeria, like in many other countries, depends heavily on how well businesses, educational systems, and policymakers can prepare the workforce to engage with and adapt to new technological realities,” Osinbajo argued. He stressed that this transformation requires both bold vision and a human-centered approach to innovation.entered approach to innovation.
