REPORT OF A WEBINAR ON THE INTERSECTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITAL RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD)
Venue: Zoom
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) had on the 28 th of May,
2025 organized a webinar titled; The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Rights
in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. The session brought together experts from regulatory
bodies, legal advocates, and digital rights advocates to explore the complex and evolving
relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital rights in Nigeria, and was
attended by 43 participants. Speakers at the webinar include Mojoriya Ogunlana O.,
Executive Director DIGICIVIC, Joshua Olufemi, Chief Executive Officer, Dataphyte, and
Abdulmalik Yusuf Jamoh, AI Expert and moderated by Chido Onumah, Co-Founder MILID
Foundation. The conversation highlighted both the transformative potential of AI and the
risks it poses, particularly in developing countries where regulatory systems are still catching
up with technological advancement.
The webinar was organized to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on digital rights in
Nigeria. Speakers emphasized that AI holds significant promise for economic development
in Nigeria. It has the capacity to drive innovation, create jobs, and improve operational
efficiency across various sectors. In fields like healthcare, education, and agriculture, AI can
enhance service delivery by enabling data-driven decision-making and automating routine
tasks. These innovations could ultimately lead to improved quality of life for many Nigerians.
However, the discussion also acknowledged critical risks and challenges associated with AI
deployment. Privacy concerns were a major issue, especially with the growing use of AI in
surveillance technologies. Without strong data protection laws and enforcement
mechanisms, there is a danger that citizens’ personal information could be collected, stored,
and used without their consent. Another key concern was algorithmic bias, AI systems
trained on biased data could reinforce existing inequalities and produce discriminatory
outcomes in areas such as recruitment, lending, and law enforcement. Additionally, the
absence of comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks makes it difficult to ensure
ethical AI use. Even where relevant laws exist, they are often not widely known or
effectively implemented.
The impact of AI on fundamental digital rights was also addressed. Tools driven by AI, such
as content moderation systems, may unintentionally suppress freedom of expression if not
designed and monitored carefully. Similarly, the use of AI in controlling information flow
could result in censorship, limiting diverse perspectives and informed public discourse.
Digital inclusion remains another area of concern, as underserved populations could be
further excluded if AI technologies are not designed with accessibility and equity in mind.
During the interactive session, speakers responded to several pertinent questions such as
how Nigeria can balance AI innovation with the protection of digital rights, the consensus was that a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary. Collaboration between government,
civil society, the private sector, and the public is vital to creating ethical and transparent AI
policies. Public awareness was also identified as a key factor in safeguarding digital rights.
Educating citizens about the implications of AI and their rights in the digital space empowers
them to demand accountability and engage meaningfully in shaping technology governance.
When asked about AI’s role in cybersecurity, experts noted that AI should be used to
augment existing systems by detecting threats, preventing breaches, and automating
responses. However, this must be done with caution to ensure that digital rights, especially
the right to privacy, are not infringed upon. Regarding existing legal protections, the Nigeria
Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 was highlighted as a step in the right direction. In spite of
that, the speakers agreed that legal protections are still evolving and currently not strong
enough to address the full scope of challenges posed by AI. Strengthening enforcement,
increasing public awareness, and introducing AI-specific legislation were suggested as
immediate priorities.
The webinar concluded with a call to action. Participants urged that the Nigerian
government need to:
1. Develop comprehensive and ethical AI policies, strengthen existing legal frameworks,
and promote inclusive technology development that reflects the diverse needs of
the population.
2. Public engagement and education should also be prioritized to build a more
informed citizens that can actively participate in policy-making processes.
3. Multi-stakeholder body should be formed for AI support to cybersecurity without
infringing on human rights, this will ensure AI play a supportive rather than a
dominant role.
4. Digital rights defenders, media organizations, and grassroots groups should increase
advocacy for AI accountability.
5. Civil society organizations should push for the passage of laws that specifically
address AI-related harms and ensure these laws are rights-respecting, inclusive, and
enforceable.
In conclusion, the webinar highlighted the urgency of proactive engagement with AI
technologies to ensure they align with Nigeria’s democratic and developmental goals. The
consensus was that AI, while full of potential, must be regulated with a human rights lens.
Participants called on the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to take leadership in
this area by developing and implementing ethical AI policies, improving the digital rights
regulatory landscape, and fostering inclusive technology development.
