Abuja: Mr Oluwafemi Osho, a cybersecurity expert, has urged Nigeria to adopt a development-first, risk-aware approach to ensure effective governance, regulation, and responsible innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Osho made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, noting that Nigeria had historically been more of a technology consumer than an innovator.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Osho highlighted that AI presents a major opportunity for Nigeria to reverse the trend by building local capacity to shape the future of technology. He emphasized the need for a governance framework that protects citizens while supporting innovation. Osho pointed out that since AI systems rely heavily on data, Nigeria must strengthen data governance through clear rules on privacy, consent, access, quality, cross-border transfers, and accountability, while underlining the importance of effective enforcement.
Osho further explained that enforcement is crucial for preventing data misuse, copyright violations, and intellectual property infringement. He highlighted the need for strong regulatory backing and stressed that governance must be accompanied by enabling infrastructure, including reliable electricity, broadband, cloud and computing access, cybersecurity, and trusted digital public services.
He also called for investment in local innovation and talent development through research funding, startup support, regulatory sandboxes, and expanded AI education to ensure solutions reflect Nigerian realities and social needs. Additionally, Osho advocated for coordinated AI regulation across sectors, warning that fragmented approaches could create policy gaps and uncertainty, as AI affects finance, health, education, communications, and security.