Catholic Bishops Urge FG To Deploy AI For Precision Strikes Against Insurgents

The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso, has called on the federal government to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to improve precision targeting in the fight against insurgency.

Ndagoso made the call in Kaduna during the launch of an AI Centre for Youths established by the managing director of Pathway Initiative and founder of the centre, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Ikhenoba.

The Archbishop said the nature of modern warfare had changed significantly, making technology increasingly important to national security and the fight against insurgency.

According to him, Nigeria would struggle to defeat insurgents without adopting modern technological tools capable of improving intelligence, surveillance and precision operations.

“The world we are in today, war is not fought mostly by physical engagement. It is through technology.”

He urged the federal government to deploy available resources and access relevant technologies that could strengthen the country’s security capabilities and help restore peace.

Ndagoso said the use of advanced technology could reduce the need to expose security personnel directly to dangerous situations.

“Our men have been killed. But with modern technology, you don’t have to be there yourself,” he said.

He also pointed to the wider applications of AI, saying the technology was already being used internationally in areas including security and agricultural production.

The Archbishop’s call came against the backdrop of persistent security and food security challenges confronting the country, which he said required greater use of technology and innovation.

He, however, cautioned that the growing use of AI must be accompanied by responsible and ethical deployment.

Speaking at the launch, he said the AI centre was established to teach young people how to use emerging technologies responsibly and for the common good.

Referencing the Catholic Church’s position on AI, Ndagoso said technology could significantly benefit humanity but could also cause harm when misused.

“God said, ‘Conquer the world,’ but he didn’t ask us to destroy the world. He asked us to conquer it and use it for the common good. And that is what technology is all about,” he said.

He congratulated Ikhenoba on the initiative, describing the establishment of the centre as timely in view of the country’s security, food security and economic challenges.

Earlier, Ikhenoba said the initiative was inspired by his encounters with young people struggling with basic digital tasks despite having advanced educational qualifications.

“I saw people struggling with CV writing, filling forms and job applications. I saw people at master’s level struggle in real-time to simply attach documents to send assignments to their tutors. And most of them were from Africa,” he said.

He said digital skills had become essential for participation in the modern economy, warning that people without such skills would find it increasingly difficult to compete.

Ikhenoba said the centre would initially offer face-to-face training before expanding to online classes, with tutors from the United Kingdom expected to deliver courses on AI and related technologies.

He said the initiative would focus on equipping young people with skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing global economy.

Citing discussions with a senior staff member of JPMorgan, Ikhenoba said major global institutions were already investing heavily in AI and that the impact of the technology on employment and economic activity would become more pronounced.

He also stressed the need for people to understand AI rather than allow the technology to control their decisions.

The centre, he said, would be open to a broad range of beneficiaries, including members of the Church.

He cited Carlo Acutis, the recently canonised Catholic saint known for his use of information technology to spread the Christian faith, as an example of how digital skills could be applied to religious and social purposes.