[Nigeria] Government to introduce pioneering AI legislation

In Nigeria, the government is set to pass a law designed to regulate AI, granting its lawmakers power over data, algorithms and digital platforms, TyN Magazine reports.

The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill will be pushed through by the end of March 2026, according to Bloomberg. The move comes two years after a draft AI strategy was set out.

The regulation will reportedly target “higher-risk” AI systems, particularly those used in fields such as finance, surveillance and public administration. It will require developers to submit assessments on risk, performance, and what steps are taken to mitigate threats.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Kashifu Abdullahi - Director General and CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency - said the country seeks to be proactive, rather than reactive, about controlling AI as adoption rises.

Mr Abdullahi stated that the move would make Nigeria one of the first countries in Africa to adopt nationwide regulation on AI, explaining that other countries, including Egypt, Mauritius and Benin, have AI strategies but not legislation.

Part of the law will give Nigerian lawmakers the power to demand information, suspend or restrict AI systems deemed unsafe or non-compliant and introduce controlled environments for testing under supervision.

Mr Abdullahi added that Nigeria was taking steps to ensure that AI being built in the country was within its guardrails. “That way, if there are bad actors, you can easily detect and contain them.”

The proposal will also reportedly allow regulators to impose fines of up to NGN10 million (£7,000) or 2 per cent of an AI provider’s gross revenue from Nigeria.

Source: TyN Magazine

In Nigeria, the government is set to pass a law designed to regulate AI, granting its lawmakers power over data, algorithms and digital platforms, TyN Magazine reports.

The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill will be pushed through by the end of March 2026, according to Bloomberg. The move comes two years after a draft AI strategy was set out.

The regulation will reportedly target “higher-risk” AI systems, particularly those used in fields such as finance, surveillance and public administration. It will require developers to submit assessments on risk, performance, and what steps are taken to mitigate threats.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Kashifu Abdullahi - Director General and CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency - said the country seeks to be proactive, rather than reactive, about controlling AI as adoption rises.

Mr Abdullahi stated that the move would make Nigeria one of the first countries in Africa to adopt nationwide regulation on AI, explaining that other countries, including Egypt, Mauritius and Benin, have AI strategies but not legislation.

Part of the law will give Nigerian lawmakers the power to demand information, suspend or restrict AI systems deemed unsafe or non-compliant and introduce controlled environments for testing under supervision.

Mr Abdullahi added that Nigeria was taking steps to ensure that AI being built in the country was within its guardrails. “That way, if there are bad actors, you can easily detect and contain them.”

The proposal will also reportedly allow regulators to impose fines of up to NGN10 million (£7,000) or 2 per cent of an AI provider’s gross revenue from Nigeria.

Source: TyN Magazine