TLDR: Nigeria is actively working to embed ethical considerations into its AI governance and digital lawmaking processes. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is engaging with tech companies to ensure AI development and deployment safeguard human rights, emphasizing ‘Ethics by Design’ to prevent algorithmic bias and privacy invasion. This initiative aligns with global standards and aims to establish robust frameworks for responsible AI use.
Nigeria is making significant strides in addressing the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, with a strong focus on integrating ‘Ethics by Design’ into its governance and lawmaking. This proactive approach aims to ensure that AI systems are not only efficient but also equitable and humane, upholding principles of dignity, autonomy, justice, and accountability within a democratic society.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is at the forefront of this initiative, planning to engage extensively with technology companies. The objective is to prevent potential harm arising from AI use and to ensure that human rights are robustly safeguarded in the digital era. The NHRC underscores the critical need for comprehensive ethical frameworks, human oversight, and transparency in AI algorithms to mitigate risks such as algorithmic bias and privacy invasion.
The concept of ‘Ethics by Design’ is central to Nigeria’s strategy, advocating for the embedding of ethical considerations directly into the architecture of AI systems and the policymaking process. This approach is designed to ensure that AI serves humanity’s best interests and respects democratic principles, rather than undermining them.
This push for ethical AI is supported by existing legal frameworks, such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) of 2023, which aligns Nigeria with global data protection standards. The NDPA establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as an independent regulatory body with powers to investigate infractions, sanction non-compliance, and develop guidance frameworks. This institutional reform provides a coherent and enforceable data governance framework.
Past incidents, such as the problematic launch of the NIMC Mobile ID App in 2020, highlight the importance of these ethical considerations. The app, released without proper vetting, exposed personal data and generated digital identities for unintended users, leading to legal challenges. Experts suggest that a Data Protection Impact Assessment, now mandated by the NDPA, could have prevented this fiasco.
Beyond the NHRC’s efforts, Nigeria has been developing its digital economy to drive growth, with the Information and Communications sector contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product. The country boasts Africa’s largest internet market, with over 142 million active subscribers as of January 2025. Various government initiatives, including the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, aim to expand digital infrastructure and develop digital skills.
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Legislative efforts are also underway, with the House of Representatives passing a Bill in December 2024 to establish the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Studies Regulation Commission. This Bill, consolidating earlier proposals, seeks to ensure proper oversight of AI development and deployment in Nigeria, incorporating principles like ethics, inclusivity, transparency, and risk management. Nigeria has also endorsed several international AI governance initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to global best practices in responsible AI development.
