By Gloria Ikibah
The ECOWAS Parliament is exploring the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to improve efficiency and strengthen legislative work across the West African sub-region.
Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon Memounatou Ibrahima, signalled this potential policy shift during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Second Parliamentary Seminar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday. 
The three-day programme, with the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region” , featured expert presentations, panel sessions, and in-depth debates among lawmakers on the role of AI in legislative practice and the need for safeguards to manage its risks.
The Speaker who was represented by the Fourth Deputy Speaker, Hon. Billay Tunkara underlined the pace at which AI is reshaping societies.
He noted that the “AI revolution is irreversible,” and that in only a short time, the technology is “redefining and transforming the future of West African economies, society and governance.
“Within a short time, AI has moved beyond the realm of science fiction to become a powerful force in our world driving many changes in all areas of life. At the same time it is challenging our shared values and fundamental human rights.
“AI when properly harnessed by parliament will ensure informed deliberation, optimized legislation and enhanced parliamentary oversight.
“It provides us with the means to make our work more efficient, more transparent and more responsive to citizens’ expectations. It is up to us all to embrace this tool, train our staff and adopt our regulations and rules of procedures to accommodate this new technology,” the Speaker said.
Speaker Ibrahima described the seminar as a starting point for the ECOWAS Parliament to take a united and decisive stance on artificial intelligence (AI).
She expressed confidence that the recommendations put forward would be translated into concrete and ambitious action plans.
During the debates, lawmakers recognised the importance of AI in today’s rapidly evolving world. However, they also voiced concerns about its risks, and called for caution in adopting the technology so as not to expose the region, whis is already facing significant infrastructure gaps to further vulnerabilities.
As West Africa comes to terms with the reality of AI, the challenge lies in finding ways to adapt it to local needs while carefully balancing its transformative potential with the human-centred values that underpin democratic governance.
The seminar will be followed on Thursday by the 2025 Second Extraordinary Session of the 6th Legislature, also taking place in the oil-rich city of Port Harcourt.
