Nigeria’s push toward a thriving digital economy received a major boost as experts at the 2026 AI Summit in Lagos called for a balanced and innovation-friendly approach to artificial intelligence regulation. The summit, hosted by T&A Legal and themed “Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria: Balancing Regulation and Innovation,” brought together lawmakers, regulators, technology experts, legal practitioners, academics, multinational tech companies, civil society groups, and industry leaders to discuss the future of AI governance in the country.
Speaking during the event, Co-founding Partner of T&A Legal, Oluseyi Adisa, described artificial intelligence as a transformative technology with the potential to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He noted that AI could drive growth across key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and governance. However, he cautioned that the technology also comes with risks, including data misuse, algorithmic bias, privacy violations, cyber threats, deepfakes, and election interference.
Adisa stressed that Nigeria must develop its own AI governance framework rather than adopting foreign models without adaptation. According to him, any regulatory structure should be evidence-based, accountable, innovation-friendly, and designed to reflect the country’s unique realities. He emphasized that the goal is to protect citizens while creating an environment where businesses can innovate, compete, and thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Also speaking at the summit, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Salisu, highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in artificial intelligence and digital governance across Africa. He explained that proposed AI legislation seeks to establish governance structures through regulatory sandboxes, risk-based classifications, accountability measures, and safeguards that encourage innovation while protecting public interests. Salisu described artificial intelligence as a defining opportunity for Nigeria’s economic growth and digital transformation.
Representing the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the agency’s Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to fostering responsible AI development. He said the agency remains focused on creating an enabling environment that supports innovation while ensuring that artificial intelligence aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities and global best practices. Stakeholders at the summit agreed that collaboration between government, industry, academia, and civil society will be crucial to positioning Nigeria as a leader in responsible AI governance and digital innovation in Africa.
source: punch
