Stakeholders Call for Balanced AI Rules to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Technology experts, policymakers, legislators, academics, legal practitioners, regulators, and private-sector leaders have urged Nigeria to adopt an artificial intelligence governance framework that encourages innovation while safeguarding citizens’ rights.The call was made during the 2026 AI Summit held in Lagos, where participants examined the role of AI in Nigeria’s digital transformation and discussed the need for policies that support responsible development and deployment of emerging technologies.Speakers at the event noted that artificial intelligence has the potential to boost economic growth and improve productivity across key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, and public administration. They also highlighted challenges including data privacy, cybersecurity risks, algorithmic bias, misinformation, and the misuse of AI-generated content.Participants stressed that Nigeria should develop regulations tailored to its own economic, social, and technological realities instead of relying solely on models from other jurisdictions. They argued that an effective framework should promote innovation, strengthen public trust, and provide clear accountability for AI systems.Representatives of the National Assembly reaffirmed ongoing efforts to establish legislation that would guide AI governance through measures such as risk-based oversight, regulatory testing environments, and mechanisms designed to encourage innovation while protecting the public interest.Officials from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) also reiterated the agency’s commitment to fostering responsible AI adoption. According to the agency, regulatory efforts will focus on creating an enabling environment for innovation while ensuring that AI development aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities and internationally accepted standards.Industry stakeholders concluded that sustained collaboration among government institutions, technology companies, researchers, civil society organisations, and academic institutions will be essential to building a trusted AI ecosystem capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term digital economy ambitions.