The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on policymakers, technology stakeholders, and private-sector actors to prioritise the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen the nation’s data privacy regime, noting that responsible innovation is essential to safeguarding citizens’ rights and maintaining public trust in the digital economy.
The appeal was made during a policy forum in Abuja, where government officials emphasised that unchecked technological innovation could undermine fundamental rights and erode confidence in digital systems if ethical considerations and data protection safeguards are not embedded into the development and use of emerging technologies such as AI.
Ethics at the Centre of AI Deployment
In recent years, Nigeria has seen the rapid adoption of AI technologies across sectors, including finance, education, healthcare and public services. While these innovations offer transformative potential, government officials noted that ethical issues—including fairness, transparency, accountability, and respect for privacy—must be addressed to prevent harm and promote inclusive growth.
Experts and regulators reiterated that ethical AI is not just about technical compliance but about safeguarding human rights, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed. Many stakeholders also highlighted the need for frameworks that hold developers and deployers accountable for how AI systems affect citizens’ lives, particularly in automated decision‑making.
Call for Stronger Data Privacy Protections
A central theme of the government’s message was the need to strengthen Nigeria’s data privacy laws and enforcement mechanisms. Officials said that robust data protection is vital to building confidence in digital services and creating an environment where innovation can thrive.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the agency responsible for enforcing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), has also been active in promoting privacy best practices. At recent NDPC events, government developers and digital stakeholders were urged to prioritise privacy to build citizen trust in digital services, underscoring that privacy protection is essential for the secure adoption of emerging technologies.
Dr Vincent Olatunji, the NDPC’s Chief Executive Officer, has emphasised that strong safeguards encourage innovation and investment, enhance operational efficiency and support responsible AI development in both government and private sectors. Such protections, he said, are key to building a resilient digital ecosystem that attracts investment and supports long‑term economic growth.
Context: Nigeria’s Digital and Regulatory Landscape
Nigeria’s data protection framework, anchored in the Nigeria Data Protection Act, provides legal bases for safeguarding personal information. The NDPA applies to organisations that process the personal data of Nigerian residents, including AI systems that handle automated decision‑making or profiling, and it includes provisions to protect individual rights and privacy.
However, as Nigeria continues to adopt AI across sectors, experts say that additional clarity and specificity on AI governance in the legal framework would further strengthen ethical standards and accountability. Recent discussions around a proposed national AI bill — which would introduce licensing regimes, transparency and accountability measures — illustrate ongoing efforts to ensure that ethical AI principles are enshrined in law.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Civil society groups, industry leaders and governance experts have also echoed the call for ethical AI adoption and stronger privacy protections. For instance, technology and business commentators have highlighted that data is the fuel powering AI systems, meaning that policies must ensure fairness, transparency, and secure handling of personal information if AI is to deliver its full promise in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education.
Legal and privacy experts in Lagos have similarly urged stronger enforcement of data protection laws and continuous review of regulatory frameworks to address evolving challenges in the digital sphere, arguing that privacy rights and technological innovation should be mutually reinforcing rather than mutually exclusive.
Implications for Nigeria’s Digital Future
The federal government’s call comes at a time when AI technologies are increasingly integrated into everyday services. Advocates for ethical AI say that embedding ethical considerations and data privacy safeguards will help prevent biased or harmful outcomes, protect citizens against misuse of personal information, and promote trust in digital platforms — all of which are essential for sustainable digital transformation.
As Nigeria continues its digital trajectory, policymakers are expected to further refine regulatory frameworks, encourage stakeholder collaboration and build institutional capacity to ensure that ethical AI deployment and robust data protection form the foundation of the country’s digital economy.
FG Urges Ethical AI Use
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