Nigeria Urged to Develop Framework for Ethical AI Adoption

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries worldwide, experts are emphasizing the need for Nigeria to create a comprehensive framework that ensures the responsible and ethical integration of AI into the country’s economy and society.

Health specialists warn that without a proper governance structure, the public may face risks, including data privacy breaches and potential threats to long-term innovation, particularly in crucial sectors like healthcare, education, and technology.

Ricardo Baptista Leite, President of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health and CEO of HealthAI, is spearheading efforts to promote the involvement of ECOWAS countries in global AI regulation discussions. According to Leite, Nigeria is positioned to play a crucial role in these efforts. He advocates for strengthening the country’s regulatory capabilities to match international standards, which is essential for managing the rapid growth of AI technology.

Leite highlighted the importance of regional cooperation to ensure AI is used responsibly and ethically, driving sustainable development in key sectors such as healthcare and education. “We must ensure that governments are equipped to protect citizens while maximizing the benefits AI offers, especially in transforming health systems,” he said. “By doing so, we can improve the quality of life for all while addressing the ethical and technical challenges AI presents.”

AI technology, which simulates human intelligence to solve complex problems, is believed to hold immense potential for enhancing healthcare. From improving diagnostics and clinical care to revolutionizing research, disease monitoring, and health system management, AI is poised to be a game changer, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

In some hospitals, AI is already being utilized to provide real-time guidance to healthcare professionals, easing their workload and allowing them to spend more time with patients. The technology is also expanding the capabilities of radiology and medical imaging, thanks to its ability to process vast amounts of data quickly.

According to Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), AI tools are being tested in countries like India, Kenya, and South Africa to screen for cervical cancer. The technology also holds promise in improving the detection of diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19.

The WHO believes AI can ease the strain on healthcare systems by rapidly analyzing large datasets, connecting people to critical information, and driving breakthrough innovations. Technology leaders like Bill Gates also see AI as a tool for addressing health disparities, particularly in underprivileged regions.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is now prioritizing AI in healthcare, aiming to tackle the most pressing health challenges in poor countries. Gates believes AI will free up healthcare workers from administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on patient care, ultimately accelerating medical advancements.

However, Leite warns that without clear data privacy guidelines, the misuse of patient information, widening inequalities, and loss of public trust could become significant risks. HealthAI’s toolkit aims to address these challenges by offering local regulators best practices for ethical AI use, focusing on bias detection, data protection, and transparency.

Leite also stressed that African nations must play an active role in shaping global AI regulations. “If we don’t address the regulatory gap now, AI’s potential benefits could be overshadowed by risks related to privacy, data misuse, and inequality,” he said.

Nigeria, he added, has an opportunity to collaborate with European and international partners to create strong regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with public safety. Leite’s discussions with ECOWAS and Nigerian leaders underscored the need for cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing to align African AI policies with global standards.

Currently, AI regulation in ECOWAS countries remains fragmented, with few standardized policies guiding its use. This lack of cohesion creates vulnerabilities, especially in critical sectors like healthcare and education, where unchecked AI systems could lead to privacy issues, ethical dilemmas, and uneven access to technology.

Analysts agree that a unified regulatory approach across ECOWAS would ensure that AI adoption is both innovative and responsible. In Nigeria, organizations like PharmAccess, led by Country Director Njide Ndili, are committed to promoting awareness and providing toolkits for government agencies to navigate AI integration safely.

“It’s essential to establish sound regulatory frameworks for AI to protect our communities as we embrace this technology,” Ndili said. “We must prioritize ethical standards to ensure AI benefits everyone while safeguarding our health systems.”