The Federal Government has called for the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and stronger enforcement of data privacy protections, warning that unchecked technological innovation could erode citizens’ rights and public trust.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja by Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, at the opening of the Data Privacy Summit 2026, organized by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Represented by Engr. Adetunji Adeyemo, Director at the National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, Gagare said the rapid growth of technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) has turned data into a central asset of the modern economy, making the protection of personal information increasingly critical.
While acknowledging that innovation is reshaping how people live, work and interact, he said governments and institutions must ensure that technological progress is matched with strong ethical and regulatory safeguards.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is committed to building an ecosystem where innovation thrives alongside robust data protection frameworks,” Gagare said. “Trust is the currency of the digital age. Without it, even the most advanced technological solutions will fail to reach their full potential.”
He noted that public confidence in digital platforms depends largely on assurances that personal data is secure, adding that trust encourages wider adoption of digital services, promotes inclusion and supports economic growth.
According to him, the Federal Government, working with the NDPC, is strengthening regulatory frameworks, expanding capacity-building programmes for data protection professionals and increasing public awareness of data rights and responsibilities.
Gagare also highlighted the growing role of the data economy in national development, citing the expansion of sectors such as fintech, e-commerce and other digital services, largely driven by data-based innovation. He cautioned, however, that technological advancement must be pursued responsibly to avoid privacy breaches and misuse of personal information.
“Emerging technologies like AI must be developed and deployed ethically,” he said. “Data privacy is a shared responsibility that cuts across government, industry and society.”
He called for closer collaboration among regulators, private sector players and civil society groups to harmonize standards and protect Nigerians’ privacy while enabling responsible innovation.
In his remarks, NDPC National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji said the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act by President Bola Tinubu on 12 June 2023, marked a turning point in the country’s data governance framework.
He said the law formally established the NDPC as an independent regulator and positioned Nigeria as an emerging player in the global data protection ecosystem.
Olatunji added that Nigeria’s progress in data protection is attracting growing international recognition, reflecting improved awareness, compliance and institutional capacity across the economy.
He described the summit as a critical platform for examining the balance between innovation and privacy at a time of rapid technological change, expressing optimism that its outcomes would strengthen Nigeria’s data protection regime and support the country’s broader digital economy agenda.
