Experts at the 2026 National Budget Roundtable in Ota, Ogun State, have called for the integration of artificial intelligence and human capital development into Nigeria's national budgeting framework. The event, hosted by Covenant University and organised by the Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), brought together academics, government officials and private sector stakeholders under the theme "National Budgeting, Artificial Intelligence and Human Capital Development". CEPDeR chairperson Busayo Aderounmu stated the centre was established in 2018 to link research with policy and practice, noting that about twenty new research fellows would be inaugurated during the 2026 roundtable. She described the current era as one of global transformation driven by AI, automation and data governance, urging Nigeria to align fiscal policy with technological advancement.
Timothy Anake, vice-chancellor of Covenant University, said national budgeting reflects a country's priorities and must evolve into a data-driven, transparent and technology-enabled process. He highlighted AI's potential to improve fiscal forecasting, reduce waste and enhance accountability, but stressed the need for ethical deployment and strong data protection. Uche Uwaleke of the Institute of Capital Market Studies noted Nigeria's fiscal challenges, including revenue volatility and recurrent spending. Panellists including Oreitan Adigun of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, AI expert Olufunke Oladipupo and Funmilayo Ayeni of Innovations for Poverty Action discussed how the 'Japa' wave is depleting skilled labour, with Ayeni suggesting AI could help harness the expertise of Nigerians abroad.
Funmilayo Ayeni's suggestion that AI can offset brain drain by tapping into the knowledge of Nigerians abroad reveals a shift from lamenting human capital flight to exploiting digital connectivity. This approach implies that future national development may depend less on physical presence and more on digital infrastructure and remote collaboration. For Nigerians, it signals a need for policies that prioritise digital access and innovation, not just education and job creation. A smarter budget may now mean investing in platforms that link the diaspora to national projects.
