Lagos: The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) has urged organisations to strengthen AI governance as adoption accelerates globally. The Chief Executive Officer of ISACA Global, Mr. Erick Prusch, conveyed this message during a media briefing in Lagos, where the association unveiled its 30th anniversary logo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prusch emphasized the dual nature of AI, which is accelerating digital transformation and creating new growth opportunities while also posing potential risks if not properly governed. He highlighted the necessity of understanding AI operations, associated risks, and controls before deploying the technology. “Governance structures should establish policies and procedures that enable organisations to harness AI’s value while managing emerging risks,” he stated.
Prusch further explained that ISACA is working globally to develop knowledge, training, and certifications to help professionals understand and apply AI responsibly. The association has introduced advanced AI credentials for audit, cybersecurity, and risk professionals to strengthen workforce capacity amid the technology’s rapid growth. These credentials, identified as AAIA for audit, AAISM for cybersecurity, and AAIR for risk, are designed to complement existing professional certifications.
He observed that Nigeria has significant potential in AI adoption due to its youthful population, which can actively engage with emerging technologies. Prusch noted that technological advances are reducing the time required for developing countries to catch up, offering Nigeria a chance to lead in technology innovation.
Prusch highlighted that ISACA has over 2,000 members in Nigeria and plans to leverage this strength to develop more AI leaders and accelerate digital transformation. The association is expanding its academic programme globally to introduce young professionals to technology careers, certifications, and opportunities earlier.
On the topic of certification costs, Prusch mentioned that ISACA is evaluating pricing mechanisms globally with the introduction of a new e-commerce platform that supports geographical and local-currency pricing. This platform aims to remove previous technology barriers and enable more accurate pricing reflective of individual countries’ economic realities.
Moreover, Prusch highlighted the progress under ISACA’s ‘She Leads Tech’ initiative, noting that women constitute more than 40 percent of ISACA’s leadership. The programme is designed to break barriers preventing women from fully participating in technology leadership and the broader Information Technology profession.
Looking ahead, Prusch stated that ISACA’s next 30 years will focus on staying relevant by leading emerging technologies and ensuring their growth is sustainable, secure, and well-governed. ISACA Nigeria Chapter President, Mr. Justus Osuji, identified effective implementation as Nigeria’s major challenge, calling for stronger advocacy and collaboration among professional bodies, government, and industry to translate technology policies into tangible development outcomes.
The Vice President of ISACA, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Yewande Ojikutu, outlined the programme for the anniversary and emphasized the need for collaboration among industry players. The conference’s highlight was the unveiling of the 30th anniversary logo, marking ISACA Nigeria’s three-decade contribution to IT audit, cybersecurity, governance, risk management, and digital trust in the country.