Artificial intelligence (AI)
The Federal Government has urged stakeholders to prioritize the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen Nigeria’s data privacy regime, warning that unchecked technological innovation could undermine the rights and public trust of citizens.
The call was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Faculty of Engineering. Nadungu Gagare attended the opening of the Data Privacy Summit 2026 organized by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Represented by the Director of the National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, Engineer. Gagare’s Adetunji Adeyemo said the rapid expansion of technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) has elevated data to a core asset of the modern economy, making the protection of personal information more important than ever.
While recognizing that innovation is changing the way people live, work and interact, he stressed that governments and institutions need to match technological advances with strong ethical and regulatory safeguards.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is committed to building an ecosystem where innovation thrives with a robust data protection framework,” he said.
“Trust is the currency of the digital age. Without trust, even the most advanced technological solutions will not reach their full potential,” Gagare added.
He explained that public trust in digital platforms relies heavily on assurances that personal data is safe, noting that trust facilitates the uptake of digital services, increases inclusivity and fosters economic growth.
He said the federal government is working closely with the NDPC to strengthen the regulatory framework, scale up capacity building of data protection professionals, and strengthen public awareness of data rights and responsibilities.
Mr. Gagare also highlighted the growing role of the data economy in national development, noting that sectors such as fintech, e-commerce and other emerging digital services are growing rapidly, mainly due to data-driven innovation.
However, he cautioned that technological advances must be pursued responsibly to prevent privacy violations and misuse of personal information.
“Emerging technologies like AI must be developed and deployed ethically. Data privacy is a shared responsibility across government, industry and society,” he said.
He therefore called for deeper collaboration between regulators, industry stakeholders and civil society to harmonize standards and create a united front that protects the privacy of Nigerians while enabling responsible innovation.
NDPC National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 12, 2023 marked a turning point in data governance in Nigeria.
He noted that the law formally established the NDPC as an independent regulator and positioned Nigeria as a growing force in the global data protection ecosystem.
Olatunji said Nigeria’s progress in data protection is gaining international recognition, reflecting increased awareness, compliance and institutional maturity across the economy.
He said the summit provides an important platform to question the delicate balance between innovation and privacy protection at a time when technological change is accelerating.
Olatunji expressed optimism that the outcome of the summit would strengthen Nigeria’s data protection architecture and advance the country’s broader digital economy and innovation agenda.
