Ambition without architecture: Why Nigeria must regulate AI, By Godwin Agaba Ochube (opens original article in a new tab)

Nigeria faces growing risks from unregulated AI use across sectors, with calls for immediate legislation and a dedicated regulatory body to address issues like fraud, misinformation, and digital abuse.

• Nigeria lacks binding AI-specific legislation, with existing laws like the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 not addressing AI's complex operations.
• AI is widely used across sectors in Nigeria but operates in a legal vacuum, leading to risks like financial fraud, misinformation, and gender-based digital abuse.
• Regulatory fragmentation and overlapping jurisdictions among nine bodies hinder effective enforcement, prompting calls for a dedicated AI regulatory authority and context-specific governance framework.