NHRC seeks AI improvement rules for Nigeria 

The Nationwide Human Rights Fee (NHRC) has referred to as for rules on Synthetic Intelligence (AI) improvement in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in commemoration of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, in accordance with an announcement by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director of Company Affairs and Exterior Linkages on the NHRC.

Within the assertion, the NHRC advocated for the institution of moral and authorized frameworks to handle the myriad challenges posed by Synthetic Intelligence (AI).

Want for AI Rules 

• The Government Secretary of the Fee, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, highlighted “the necessity for rules that guarantee AI improvement aligns with human rights rules, stopping potential abuses and safeguarding basic freedoms.”
• He added that the Fee plans to problem an advisory on the use and deployment of Synthetic Intelligence in Nigeria very quickly.
• Ojukwu noticed that whereas AI might improve journalistic actions comparable to content material improvement, investigative reporting, analysis, and fact-checking, it is also manipulated for misinformation, cyberbullying, emotional abuse, and inciting feedback in Nigeria.

“AI instruments have significantly impacted the enjoyment of the Proper to Freedom of Expression and the Media by eliminating limitations to well timed and efficient communication. 

“On the similar time, AI instruments have contributed to breaches of the Proper to Freedom of Expression and the Media when used unprofessionally and with out adherence to moral requirements,” he acknowledged. 

• The NHRC boss urged Nigerians, together with journalists, to make use of AI in a constructive and accountable method to deepen the belief of the Proper to Freedom of Expression.

• He warned in opposition to making inciting statements in opposition to constituted authorities and different members of the general public.

 Appeal to Authorities 

• In the identical vein, the Government Secretary urged related authorities to cooperate with journalists within the discharge of their constitutional tasks, which embody holding the federal government accountable to the folks.
• He inspired all stakeholders to acknowledge the press as a essential companion within the democratic course of and to chorus from any type of confrontation or interference with the lawful duties of journalists and different media professionals, warning that such actions might end in authorized penalties.

 Backstory 

The NHRC’s name comes weeks after the Fee introduced plans in March 2025 to interact tech firms in its efforts to forestall dangerous purposes of Synthetic Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.

• This was revealed by Government Secretary Tony Ojukwu, SAN, throughout an AI Governance webinar organized by the Worldwide Community for Company Social Accountability (IN-CSR) in collaboration with the Fee, and attended by Nairametrics.
• Ojukwu, who heads Nigeria’s human rights company, acknowledged that if not ruled by sturdy moral frameworks with human dignity on the core, AI might breed inequalities, end in algorithmic bias, invade privateness, and finally infringe on human rights.

The announcement adopted the African Union (AU) Government Council’s approval of the “Continental Synthetic Intelligence (AI) Technique,” which advocates for the adoption of AI in each private and non-private sectors amongst member states, together with Nigeria.

The AU printed this technique doc on its web site on Friday, August 9, 2024.