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Stakeholders at GITEX AI Nigeria 2026 have called for stronger laws and systems to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and protect Nigeria’s data.
NewsCentral TV correspondent Joshua Imarayi, who attended the event, said that AI is already being used across healthcare, financial services, and governance.
Stakeholders are now questioning who controls the systems Nigerians use, how they are developed and whether regulators can effectively monitor them.
They said most AI systems currently used in Nigeria remain beyond the reach of the government and regulatory authorities.
They also raised concerns over how Nigerians’ data is collected and used to train artificial intelligence systems.
The stakeholders called for Nigeria to develop local systems to manage AI and strengthen data sovereignty.
They identified technology, computing infrastructure and reliable energy supply as key requirements for achieving this goal.
They questioned whether Nigeria’s energy sector is prepared to provide the power needed to operate the computer systems supporting AI.
The stakeholders also called for laws to regulate the development, deployment, and governance of artificial intelligence.
They noted that Nigeria is yet to establish specific laws governing AI and AI systems.
According to Imarayi, the discussions at GITEX AI Nigeria 2026 have centred on how Nigeria can gain greater control over its AI systems, data and digital future.
As artificial intelligence expands across healthcare, finance and governance, stakeholders at @GITEXNG 2026 are calling for stronger regulation to determine how AI systems operate in Nigeria and how citizens’ data is collected, used and protected. @OJ_Imarayi reports. pic.twitter.com/iaBZEeCCKx
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) August 31, 2026
