A new assessment of Nigeria’s artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework has revealed major regulatory gaps, raising fres...
A new assessment of Nigeria’s artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework has revealed major regulatory gaps, raising fresh concerns over data privacy, national security and ethical standards as the adoption of AI continues to expand across key sectors of the economy.
The report, presented on Thursday at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, identified critical challenges including weak regulatory oversight, lack of transparency, accountability deficits and the growing risk of algorithmic bias in decision-making systems.
Stakeholders at the event also pointed to the absence of a comprehensive legal framework to guide the deployment and use of AI technologies in the country, warning that the rapid pace of innovation is outstripping existing governance structures.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the presentation, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Dr. Umar Yakubu, said Nigeria is witnessing increasing adoption of AI in sectors such as banking, agriculture, housing and healthcare without corresponding regulatory safeguards.
“We are seeing widespread adoption of AI and significant financial investments, but there are serious national security risks and governance concerns,” Yakubu said.
He stressed that the major issue remains whether there are clear policies, laws and institutional mechanisms guiding the use of AI, or whether its adoption is taking place in a largely unregulated environment.
Yakubu further noted that despite the growing reliance on AI technologies, Nigeria is yet to enact a specific law governing the sector, following unsuccessful legislative attempts in 2021 and 2023. According to him, the current situation is further complicated by fragmented regulatory responsibilities, gaps in technical skills and weaknesses in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
He warned that the lack of a strong governance framework exposes the country to multiple risks, particularly in sensitive sectors such as healthcare where large volumes of personal data are processed.
“There is an urgent need for government to take proactive steps to align Nigeria’s AI governance framework with global best practices in order to safeguard public interest,” he added.
The Centre recommended the enactment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Act, the establishment of a National AI Regulatory Authority and the introduction of mandatory transparency requirements for the use of AI in public institutions.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, who was represented at the event, acknowledged the transformative role of AI in modern governance and service delivery across the world.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality shaping economies and governance systems,” he said.
Arabi, however, cautioned that while AI offers enormous opportunities for efficiency and innovation, its deployment also raises serious concerns around data protection, ethical standards, accountability and the potential for discrimination.
He warned that the absence of a clearly defined governance structure could result in unintended consequences, including exclusion, misuse of data and erosion of public trust in government institutions.
According to him, effective AI governance must go beyond technical considerations and be treated as a broader policy, legal and ethical issue that requires a coordinated and holistic approach supported by strong institutions.
The event featured panel discussions involving experts from government agencies and academia, including representatives of the Nigerian Army College and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who shared insights on the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving AI landscape.
During the interactive session, stakeholders disclosed that Nigeria would require an estimated $76.5 million investment to build AI infrastructure comparable to that of Rwanda, highlighting the scale of resources needed for the country to remain competitive globally.
They emphasised the need for coordinated reforms, increased investment in digital infrastructure, and capacity building to bridge existing skills gaps, while ensuring responsible and ethical use of AI technologies across both public and private sectors.
The experts reiterated that as Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, strengthening governance frameworks will be critical to maximising the benefits of artificial intelligence while minimising associated risks.
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