Nigeria Leads Global Effort on Responsible AI and Privacy Protection

On March 3, 2026, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)  announced a collaborative effort with 60 other Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) to enforce privacy rights in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative centers on the “Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy”, coordinated by the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group (IEWG) of the Global Privacy Assembly. This collaboration highlights growing concerns over AI tools capable of generating realistic images and videos of identifiable individuals.

The Joint Statement raises specific concerns regarding the misuse of AI-powered tools to produce non-consensual imagery, defamatory content, and other harmful materials, particularly those affecting children and vulnerable groups. It urges organizations to implement strong safeguards, ensure transparency, provide effective content removal mechanisms, and fully comply with relevant data protection laws.

This effort is part of a broader strategy by Nigeria to ensure the responsible use of AI. The initiative builds on the National AI Strategy, led by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) issued by NDPC, which mandates privacy by design and privacy by default in the development and deployment of AI tools.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of NDPC, emphasized that the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) Compliance Audit Returns (CAR), completed by data controllers and processors, will serve as a benchmark for monitoring and evaluating the responsible use of AI for data processing in Nigeria.

This collaborative effort underscores Nigeria’s commitment to protecting privacy rights and fostering responsible, ethical use of AI technology across the country.