Experts and stakeholders in the field of information technology have blamed weak policy frameworks, poor funding, and inadequate infrastructure for Nigeria’s slow progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 6th Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS25), organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held from October 22 to 23 at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano.
The two-day summit, themed “Toward a More Inclusive Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, brought together over 1,200 participants, including academics, ICT experts, policymakers, media practitioners, and persons with disabilities from within and outside Nigeria.
In the communiqué jointly signed by Prof. Amina Kaidal of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Tunde Akanni of Lagos State University, Chief Nmezi Oguadinma of NSL Consulting, Lagos, and Mr. Isah Garba, Senior Programmes Officer at CITAD, participants stressed the need to balance technological growth with ethical values, inclusivity, and accountability.
“Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming global development, yet Africa contributes only about five per cent of global AI research due to inadequate infrastructure, funding, and gender inclusion,” the communiqué stated.
It also warned that the misuse of AI technologies through disinformation, deepfakes, and misinformation threatens democracy, national security, and social stability.
The participants noted that although AI-powered assistive technologies are helping persons with disabilities, the high cost of such innovations remains a major barrier to access.
The summit called for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform, to be coordinated by CITAD, to engage with government agencies on revising policy and legal frameworks guiding AI development in Nigeria.
It also urged increased government investment in ICT infrastructure, research, and human capital to strengthen the country’s position in the global AI ecosystem.
“There is an urgent need to enact and enforce data protection laws to curb unauthorized data mining and trading,” the communiqué added.
Participants further recommended that stakeholders promote AI awareness, ethics, and digital literacy among citizens to ensure responsible and inclusive adoption of the technology.
They also appealed to government agencies and tech companies to subsidize AI assistive tools to make them more affordable and accessible to all.
Commending CITAD for sustaining the summit since its inception in 2019, the communiqué described KANSIS as a hub for digital dialogue and innovation, fostering a just and democratic digital future for Nigeria.
The summit featured five plenary sessions, 14 breakout panels, and 31 scholarly presentations on data privacy, deepfakes, AI ethics, and the role of women in AI governance.
Participants also expressed appreciation to Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University for hosting the event and providing a conducive environment for robust intellectual engagement.