The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Dr Ndagi Alhassan, has emphasized that excessive reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) could undermine critical thinking and clinical judgement among nurses. He insists that technology must never replace the human compassion at the heart of patient care.
Dr Alhassan made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Undergraduate Nursing Research Challenge and Summit organised by the Golden Lamp Leadership Initiative Africa at the University of Ibadan. The theme of the summit was “Minds and Machines: The New Frontier of Academic Research”. He urged nursing students to embrace technological innovation without compromising their professional judgement and ethical responsibilities.
While acknowledging that AI can analyse data, identify patterns, and suggest interventions, Dr Alhassan stressed that it cannot replace a nurse’s ability to recognise subtle changes in a patient’s condition and respond with sound clinical judgement and empathy. He cited the example of a nurse who notices a patient deteriorating despite normal monitor readings, highlighting that human observation and prompt intervention can make the difference between life and death.
Dr Alhassan also warned that AI systems can generate fabricated academic references and misleading information, urging students to verify AI-generated content before using it in research. He advocated for locally relevant African research data to address biases in systems trained on information that might not reflect the continent’s healthcare realities.
On patient confidentiality, Dr Alhassan cautioned nurses against uploading identifiable medical information to AI platforms without appropriate safeguards. He advised that when in doubt, nurses should not upload such information, adding that the Council would not tolerate plagiarism, fabricated research findings, or unethical use of AI.
Dr Alhassan urged students to focus their research on practical healthcare problems, verify information, protect patient data, disclose AI use transparently, and publish their findings. He also advocated for intergenerational leadership, encouraging experienced professionals to create opportunities for younger nurses to contribute fresh ideas and technological expertise.
The NMCN Registrar concluded by reminding students that the nursing profession is fundamentally about service and compassion. He encouraged them to carry the lamp forward, emphasizing that the frontier of nursing does not belong to machines but to the minds that will lead them.
Key points
- Dr Ndagi Alhassan warns against excessive reliance on AI in nursing.
- AI cannot replace human compassion and clinical judgement in patient care.
- NMCN Registrar urges nursing students to focus on practical healthcare problems and verify AI-generated content.
