Martina Ononiwu: AI Adoption in Elections Requires Warning, Not Pace
Nigeria should method the adoption of Synthetic Intelligence in its electoral course of with warning and structured preparation somewhat than haste, electoral governance knowledgeable Dr. Martina Ononiwu has mentioned, warning that untimely deployment might undermine credibility as an alternative of strengthening it.
Talking in an interview with ARISE Information on Sunday, Ononiwu harassed that whereas AI presents vital alternatives for bettering electoral transparency and verification, the nation shouldn’t be but institutionally ready for full-scale implementation.
“We should perceive that AI is a software, not a magic wand,” she mentioned. “If the foundational buildings are weak, introducing superior know-how won’t clear up the underlying issues.”
Ononiwu defined that Synthetic Intelligence can help voter verification, knowledge validation, and consequence auditing, however emphasised that profitable deployment relies upon closely on technical capability and human experience.
“You can not introduce AI into an surroundings the place electoral officers are usually not sufficiently educated,” she famous. “Capability constructing should come first. Know-how solely works as successfully because the individuals working it.”
She additional cautioned in opposition to speedy expectations of real-time nationwide collation powered by AI, describing such projections as unrealistic below present circumstances.
“Actual-time transmission throughout all polling models sounds engaging, however we have to be sincere about infrastructure limitations,” she mentioned. “We’re not totally prepared for that stage of deployment.”
In keeping with her, a phased or hybrid mannequin the place AI enhances present methods somewhat than replaces them can be a extra sensible start line for Nigeria.
“What we’d like is gradual integration,” Ononiwu defined. “Take a look at the methods, construct confidence, prepare personnel, after which scale up.”
She added that credibility stays the final word purpose of any technological reform in elections, warning that rushed implementation might create new controversies.
“If individuals don’t belief the system, even probably the most superior know-how might be questioned,” she mentioned. “Public confidence should develop alongside technological adoption.”
Ononiwu projected that with deliberate planning, coaching, and infrastructure upgrades, Nigeria might obtain broader AI integration inside a couple of years.
“This isn’t one thing to hurry in a single election cycle,” she mentioned. “With constant effort, we will realistically transfer towards fuller adoption within the subsequent two to 5 years.”
She concluded by reiterating that innovation in electoral processes have to be pushed by preparedness and institutional strengthening, not political strain.
“The purpose is credible elections,” Ononiwu mentioned. “And credibility comes from readiness, not velocity.”
Triumph Ojo
Times Nigeria