Abuja, Jan. 13, 2026 – Nigeria is to start regulating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.
The legislation is part of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill expected to be passed by the National Assembly in March 2026.
The law is to give the regulators expanded authority over data use, algorithms and digital platforms across the country’s fast-growing technology sector.
Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said the legislation is being designed to regulate AI early rather than retroactively, as adoption accelerates across Nigeria’s financial sector, public services and private industry,
“You cannot be ahead of innovation, but regulation is not just about giving commands. It’s about influencing market, economic and societal behaviour so people can build AI for good,” he said.
The bill is designed to establish a comprehensive governance framework for emerging technologies, closing a regulatory gap that has existed since Nigeria released a draft national AI strategy in 2024.
Nigeria will become a pioneer and one of the first African countries to adopt a comprehensive regulatory regime for AI if the law is passed.
Three African countries, Egypt, Benin and Mauritius, have AI strategies, but lack appropriate legislation.
