Stakeholders Push for Collaborative AI Governance to Power Digital Economy

Industry stakeholders in Nigeria, including policymakers, legal practitioners, regulators, technology experts, academics, and civil society organizations, are advocating for a collaborative approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance. Their aim is to harness AI's potential to boost the nation's digital economy while simultaneously safeguarding the rights of its citizens.

This call to action emerged during the 2026 AI Summit in Lagos, hosted by T&A Legal. The summit's theme, 'Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria: Balancing Regulation and Innovation,' underscored the delicate equilibrium required. Oluseyi Adisa, Co-founding Partner of T&A Legal, highlighted Nigeria's unique position to develop an AI framework suited to its specific circumstances, rather than importing models wholesale from other jurisdictions. He stressed the need for an evidence-based, innovation-friendly, and accountable framework that reflects national realities.

Adisa noted that while AI promises enormous economic opportunities, potentially contributing billions to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product and transforming key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education, these benefits must be accompanied by robust safeguards against emerging risks. The overarching objective is to strike the right balance between protecting citizens and enabling businesses to innovate and thrive.

Senator Shuaib Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, affirmed Nigeria's significant progress in AI and digital governance, positioning it ahead of many African nations. He outlined proposed legislation designed to establish clear governance structures for AI systems. These include regulatory sandboxes, risk-based classifications, accountability mechanisms, and safeguards intended to foster innovation while upholding the public interest.

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Nigeria’s AI governance framework must not be imported wholesale from another jurisdiction. It must be evidence-based, innovation-friendly, accountable, and designed to reflect our national realities. Our goal is to strike the right balance between protecting citizens and enabling businesses to innovate and thrive.