The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an urgent review of existing laws to tackle emerging human rights concerns arising from the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.
Speaking at a workshop on AI governance and human rights, NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, warned that without robust ethical frameworks, AI could widen inequalities, introduce algorithmic bias, invade privacy, and threaten human rights.
AI as a Double-Edged Sword
Ojukwu emphasized that while AI is reshaping societies, economies, and human interactions, its regulation must ensure that technological progress does not outpace human rights protections.
“As AI becomes more sophisticated, human oversight remains crucial. Our laws must evolve to balance innovation with ethical principles,” he said.
He called on policymakers, business leaders, technologists, and civil society groups to collaborate in ensuring AI promotes human dignity rather than undermines it.
Need for Legal and Ethical Frameworks
The President of the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CRS), Eustace Onuegbu, noted that AI’s rapid expansion in Africa brings both opportunities and challenges that require urgent legal and ethical considerations.
Similarly, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, representing the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, stressed the need for Nigeria to balance AI’s benefits with strong human rights safeguards.
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