AI regulation in Nigeria: laws & policy (2026)
AI in Nigeria: proposed.
Nigeria currently has no enacted AI-specific law. Its central instrument is the non-binding National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2024), while the only binding rules touching AI come from the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (automated decision-making/profiling). Multiple comprehensive AI bills, most notably the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill and the National AI Commission (Establishment) Bill, are moving through the legislature, positioning Nigeria toward a risk-based regulatory regime.
Legal framework
National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS, 2024) led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and NITDA/NCAIR; no AI-specific statute yet in force, with several comprehensive AI bills advancing in the National Assembly. Personal-data aspects of AI are governed by the binding Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (enforced by the NDPC).
Key points: artificial intelligence in Nigeria
National AI Strategy (non-binding)
FMCIDE and NITDA/NCAIR released the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2024, built on five pillars (infrastructure, ecosystem, sector adoption, responsible AI, governance). It is a policy framework with KPIs and pilot projects, not enforceable law, and proposes future national AI principles and a governance body.
National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill
This proposed bill would grant NITDA formal authority over algorithms, data governance and digital platforms and introduce a risk-based AI regime (heightened scrutiny and audits for AI in finance, public administration, automated decision-making and surveillance). Reported in January 2026 as expected to be approved around early/March 2026; not yet enacted.
National AI Commission (Establishment) Bill 2025
A separate bill (SB 731) introduced in 2025 proposes a dedicated National Artificial Intelligence Commission to coordinate AI strategy, research and ethical deployment. It is pending before the National Assembly and has not been passed.
Standalone AI regulation bill
A 'Bill for an Act to Regulate the Development, Deployment, and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria and for Related Matters' has been tabled in the National Assembly, reflecting parallel legislative efforts toward AI-specific rules. Still at an early legislative stage.
Data-protection rules apply to AI (in force)
The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (signed June 2023) establishes the NDPC and, in Section 37, gives data subjects the right not to be subject to solely automated decisions (including profiling) with significant effects, and mandates DPIAs for high-risk processing. The NDPC's 2025 General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) clarifies application to large-scale AI/ML models.
No comprehensive AI law in force yet
As of mid-2026 Nigeria has not enacted any AI-specific statute; governance rests on the non-binding NAIS plus general data-protection law, with comprehensive risk-based legislation still pending. If passed, Nigeria would be among the first African states with an enforceable AI regime.
Timeline of decisions
- LawBloomberg Reports Nigeria Set to Pass Sweeping AI Rules
Bloomberg reported that the National Assembly was advancing the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, which would grant NITDA 'super-regulator' powers to classify AI systems by risk level, mandate algorithmic transparency, require annual impact assessments for high-stakes AI in finance and public administration, and levy fines of up to NGN 10 million or 2% of annual Nigerian revenue for non-compliance, potentially making Nigeria the first African country with a fully enforceable AI law.
Bloomberg
- Law · officialConsolidated AI Regulation Bill Introduced in National Assembly
A Bill to Regulate the Development, Deployment, and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria was introduced in the National Assembly, consolidating HB 942 (2023) and HB 601 into a single comprehensive AI Act with risk-based obligations, a licensing regime, and a new national AI oversight commission, marking Nigeria's most advanced legislative step toward a dedicated AI law.
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)
- Guidance · officialNCAIR Publishes Revised National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
NITDA's National Centre for AI and Robotics published an updated National AI Strategy, refining the governance architecture, sector-specific KPIs, and implementation timelines originally set in the August 2024 version, consolidating Nigeria's policy foundation ahead of pending legislation.
NCAIR / NITDA
- Guidance · officialNITDA AI Transformation Roadmap Released
NITDA published its AI Transformation Roadmap detailing operational steps to execute the National AI Strategy across infrastructure buildout, workforce upskilling, and sector-level AI adoption, translating high-level strategy into agency-level deliverables with defined timelines.
NITDA
- LawHouse of Representatives: Second Reading of National AI Commission Bill
The House of Representatives advanced to second reading a Bill to establish the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Studies Regulation Commission, the proposed central body responsible for AI licensing, conformity assessments, standards-setting, and enforcement in Nigeria.
Digital Policy Alert
- GuidanceNigerian Bar Association Issues AI Guidelines for the Legal Profession
The NBA published sector-specific guidelines governing lawyer use of AI tools in Nigeria, addressing professional responsibility, client confidentiality, accuracy obligations, and disclosure duties, the first formal professional-body AI guidance issued in any Nigerian regulated sector.
IAPP
- Guidance · officialNational Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) Published
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA released Nigeria's inaugural National AI Strategy, establishing five pillars, infrastructure, ecosystem development, sector adoption, responsible AI, and governance, with a 2024-2030 roadmap targeting 100,000 AI professionals upskilled and positioning Nigeria as Africa's AI hub.
NCAIR / NITDA
- Law · officialHB 942: First Dedicated AI Bill Introduced in the House of Representatives
The Control of Usage of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Nigeria Bill (HB 942) received its first reading, Nigeria's first standalone legislative proposal for AI, requiring registration of AI systems, risk classification, mandatory auditing, and the creation of a National AI Oversight Council.
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)
- Decision · officialNational Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) Commissioned
NITDA formally commissioned NCAIR as Nigeria's first government-backed AI research facility, mandated to drive R&D in AI, robotics, drones, and IoT, establishing the institutional nucleus that would later coordinate the National AI Strategy and AI Research Grant Scheme.
NCAIR / NITDA
Sources
- fmcide.gov.ng/initiative/nais/
- ncair.nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/National-AI-Strategy_01082024-copy.pdf
- fmcide.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/National%20Digital%20Economy%20and%20E-Gov
- p.placbillstrack.org/bills/43d55c40-7f75-4887-8d0c-f27691293766/
- ir.nilds.gov.ng/handle/123456789/3103
- dataguidance.com/news/nigeria-national-ai-commission-bill-passes-first
- iapp.org/news/a/nigeria-moves-toward-comprehensive-ai-regulation
- whitecase.com/insight-our-thinking/ai-watch-global-regulatory-tracker-nigeria
- mondaq.com/nigeria/data-protection/1667752/nigeria-data-protection-act-2023-ndpa
- securiti.ai/overview-of-nigeria-data-protection-act/
Next for Nigeria: Data & PrivacyComprehensive law
Next topicOrientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 23 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026