Artificial Intelligence - Nigeria

FMCIDE and NITDA/NCAIR released the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2024, built on five pillars (infrastructure, ecosystem, sector adoption, responsible AI, governance). It is a policy framework with KPIs and pilot projects, not enforceable law, and proposes future national AI principles and a governance body.

This proposed bill would grant NITDA formal authority over algorithms, data governance and digital platforms and introduce a risk-based AI regime (heightened scrutiny and audits for AI in finance, public administration, automated decision-making and surveillance). Reported in January 2026 as expected to be approved around early/March 2026; not yet enacted.

A separate bill (SB 731) introduced in 2025 proposes a dedicated National Artificial Intelligence Commission to coordinate AI strategy, research and ethical deployment. It is pending before the National Assembly and has not been passed.

A 'Bill for an Act to Regulate the Development, Deployment, and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria and for Related Matters' has been tabled in the National Assembly, reflecting parallel legislative efforts toward AI-specific rules. Still at an early legislative stage.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (signed June 2023) establishes the NDPC and, in Section 37, gives data subjects the right not to be subject to solely automated decisions (including profiling) with significant effects, and mandates DPIAs for high-risk processing. The NDPC's 2025 General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) clarifies application to large-scale AI/ML models.

As of mid-2026 Nigeria has not enacted any AI-specific statute; governance rests on the non-binding NAIS plus general data-protection law, with comprehensive risk-based legislation still pending. If passed, Nigeria would be among the first African states with an enforceable AI regime.