Nigeria’s transition to a digitally-driven economy is entering a critical phase, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to institutionalise governance frameworks for Artificial Intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and public sector digitalisation.
At the Global Partnership for Human-Centric ICT Standardisation (GIST) Nigeria stakeholder workshop in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, revealed that the country has moved decisively from policy formulation to implementation of its national AI strategy.
Representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Inuwa emphasised that the current focus is on building regulatory frameworks that ensure AI deployment aligns with ethical standards, accountability, and national interests.
“We have moved beyond strategy design to implementation. Our priority now is to establish frameworks that guarantee responsible AI deployment while safeguarding data and national interests,” he said.
A key component of the strategy involves developing structured data classification systems to support AI training, alongside the promotion of cloud computing within government institutions.
Inuwa highlighted the adoption of a “cloud-first” policy as essential for scalability and efficiency, while cautioning that implementation must protect Nigeria’s digital sovereignty.
The government is also advancing interoperability frameworks and the Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture to enhance coordination among public institutions.
Additionally, a data exchange platform is being developed under the Government Statistics Digital Public Infrastructure initiative to improve data sharing and policy coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The reforms are expected to streamline public sector digital projects, improve service delivery, and create opportunities for private sector innovation.
From the international perspective, the European Commission’s Team Leader for Digital Governance, Peter Marien, underscored the importance of global standards in shaping digital ecosystems.
He described standards as the “invisible backbone” of modern societies and emphasised the role of platforms like GIST in fostering collaboration and alignment.
Marien identified Nigeria as a strategic player in Africa’s digital future, particularly in efforts to build a unified digital market and strengthen cross-border integration.
He noted that the European Union’s digital framework, built over two decades, prioritises inclusivity, privacy, and security — principles that align with Nigeria’s evolving digital governance agenda.
The ongoing legislative push and policy reforms signal Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a leader in digital innovation, governance, and economic transformation on the African continent.
Nigeria Accelerates Digital Transition as FG Pushes AI Regulation, E-Governance Bill
