	AI Legislative Guide
	Nigeria
	(Africa) Firm Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie Contributors Jumoke Lambo Updated 09 May 2026
Has specific legislation, final regulations or other formal regulatory guidance addressing the use of AI in your jurisdiction been implemented (vs reliance on existing legislation around IP, cyber, data privacy, etc.)?	No. There is no principal legislation that regulates Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria. There are laws such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Communication Act 2003, which have some provisions that would regulate AI-powered services, applications and devices. In addition, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025 which was issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and the National Information Technology Development Agency serves as Nigeria’s primary roadmap for the responsible integration of AI into the national economy.
Please provide a short summary of the legislation/regulations/guidance and explain how legislators aim to strike the balance between innovation and regulation.	The objective of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025 ("NAIS") is to leverage AI as a catalyst for sustainable growth, public service optimisation, and to be a leading force in AI in Africa. The framework emphasises a shift from passive consumption of technology to active innovation, targeting enhanced productivity and social inclusion as key indicators of success. The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is anchored on five strategic pillars designed to create an integrated environment for AI development: Infrastructure: Focuses on the deployment of high-performance computing centers, data hubs, and clean-energy clusters to provide the requisite hardware for AI research. Ecosystem Development: Aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry through "Centres of Excellence" and international public-private partnerships. Sectoral Adoption: Prioritises the deployment of AI in high-impact areas, specifically agriculture, healthcare, finance, and public administration. Ethical Standards: Requires that transparency, fairness, and accountability be integrated throughout the AI lifecycle to reduce the risk of algorithmic bias and strengthen public trust. Governance Framework: Establishes the framework required to harmonise innovation with existing statutes, such as the NDPA. Social Inclusivity and Local Content: A distinctive feature of the NAIS is its commitment to local content and inclusivity. This involves the development of Large Language Models ("LLMs") that reflect Nigeria’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Furthermore, the strategy outlines mandates for inclusive participation, ensuring that women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented demographics are integrated into the AI value chain. Human capital and talent development: The strategy recognises that talent is the engine of the AI ecosystem. Workforce development is intended to reduce the current talent deficit and position Nigeria as a global exporter of AI expertise. Nigeria is adopting a balanced, risk-aware approach to AI, prioritising innovation over restrictive legislation. Current policy focuses on enabling digital growth while managing threats like cybersecurity, privacy, and bias through existing regulations rather than enacting prohibitive legislation at this early stage.
Which agency regulates the use of AI in your jurisdiction?	AI in Nigeria is regulated by the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

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Has specific legislation, final regulations or other formal regulatory guidance addressing the use of AI in your jurisdiction been implemented (vs reliance on existing legislation around IP, cyber, data privacy, etc.)?

No. There is no principal legislation that regulates Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria. There are laws such as the
Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Communication Act 2003, which have some provisions that would regulate AI-powered services, applications and devices.

In addition, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025 which was issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and the National Information Technology Development Agency serves as Nigeria’s primary roadmap for the responsible integration of AI into the national economy.

Please provide a short summary of the legislation/regulations/guidance and explain how legislators aim to strike the balance between innovation and regulation.

The objective of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025 ("NAIS") is to leverage AI as a catalyst for sustainable growth, public service optimisation, and to be a leading force in AI in Africa. The framework emphasises a shift from passive consumption of technology to active innovation, targeting enhanced productivity and social inclusion as key indicators of success.

The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is anchored on five strategic pillars designed to create an integrated environment for AI development:

Infrastructure: Focuses on the deployment of high-performance computing centers, data hubs, and clean-energy clusters to provide the requisite hardware for AI research.
Ecosystem Development: Aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry through "Centres of Excellence" and international public-private partnerships.
Sectoral Adoption: Prioritises the deployment of AI in high-impact areas, specifically agriculture, healthcare, finance, and public administration.
Ethical Standards: Requires that transparency, fairness, and accountability be integrated throughout the AI lifecycle to reduce the risk of algorithmic bias and strengthen public trust.
Governance Framework: Establishes the framework required to harmonise innovation with existing statutes, such as the NDPA.
Social Inclusivity and Local Content: A distinctive feature of the NAIS is its commitment to local content and inclusivity. This involves the development of Large Language Models ("LLMs") that reflect Nigeria’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Furthermore, the strategy outlines mandates for inclusive participation, ensuring that women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented demographics are integrated into the AI value chain.
Human capital and talent development: The strategy recognises that talent is the engine of the AI ecosystem. Workforce development is intended to reduce the current talent deficit and position Nigeria as a global exporter of AI expertise.

Nigeria is adopting a balanced, risk-aware approach to AI, prioritising innovation over restrictive legislation. Current policy focuses on enabling digital growth while managing threats like cybersecurity, privacy, and bias through existing regulations rather than enacting prohibitive legislation at this early stage.

Which agency regulates the use of AI in your jurisdiction?

AI in Nigeria is regulated by the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.