Nigeria Urged to Regulate AI with National Act

On Tuesday, during the 127th Inaugural Lecture at Lagos State University, Prof. Oluwatoyin Enikuomehin, a Computer Science professor, warned that Nigeria must urgently enact a National AI Act to regulate Artificial Intelligence before it surpasses governance capabilities. He emphasized that AI is fundamentally altering human cognition, as individuals increasingly rely on machines for thinking and decision-making.

Enikuomehin introduced the AI Governance Stack, a seven-layer framework aimed at ensuring accountable AI deployment, which includes infrastructure security, data governance, algorithmic accountability, explainability, ethical oversight, regulatory compliance, and societal impact assessment. He stressed that a comprehensive legislative framework is necessary to address governance mechanisms at each layer.

Additionally, he proposed the establishment of an independent National AI Research and Governance Council to evaluate AI's social impact and advise the government on policy. Enikuomehin also highlighted the need for universal broadband access, affordable digital devices, and reliable electricity to prevent AI from exacerbating existing inequalities.