Stakeholders Advocate AI Governance for Nigeria's Economy

During the 2026 AI Summit held in Lagos, stakeholders including policymakers, legal practitioners, technology experts, and civil society organizations urged for a collaborative approach to artificial intelligence (AI) governance in Nigeria. Oluseyi Adisa, co-founder and partner at T Legal, emphasized that Nigeria has a unique opportunity to develop an AI framework that reflects its realities and unlocks significant economic potential, projected to contribute billions to the country's gross domestic product.

The summit's discussions focused on balancing regulation and innovation, with Adisa advocating for a governance structure that safeguards citizens' rights while enabling business innovation. Shuaib Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, remarked on Nigeria's progress in AI and digital governance, proposing legislation to establish a clear governance structure for AI systems, including regulatory sandboxes and risk-based classifications to protect public interest and encourage innovation.