Integration of AI tools into management and governance of humanitarian projects in conflict-affected North-West Nigeria
Humanitarian projects in conflict zones face extreme complexity caused by, inter alia, volatility, fragmentation, and accountability pressures. Such complexity often renders conventional project implementation approaches inadequate. This study, focused on the conflict zone of North-West Nigeria, investigated the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) tools can enhance the effectiveness of management governance and governance of humanitarian projects. Grounded in sociotechnical systems (STS) theory, the study surveyed 300 project personnel across Kebbi, Katsina, and Jigawa States, and conducted interviews with 25 of the personnel. Statistical analysis of the quantitative data from the survey found that the adoption of AI tools had a statistically significant correlation with project management effectiveness (β = .46, p < .001), with organisational readiness and ethical governance found to serve as significant partial mediators. The qualitative findings from the interview data identified AI tools’ positive roles in project management and governance—through support for (human-led) decision support, transparency, and anticipatory governance—but also revealed tensions around equity, attentional displacement, and the marginalisation of national actors.