Four-day workshop brings regulators and technology practitioners together to strengthen responsible AI adoption, risk management and accountability.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom are deepening cooperation on artificial intelligence governance and digital-economy standards as both countries explore ways to support responsible technology adoption and strengthen regulatory capacity.
The British High Commission in Nigeria reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation following a visit by the British Standards Institution (BSI), which included an executive workshop on AI governance and standards.
The four-day programme was organised in partnership with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme.
It brought together senior government officials, regulators and technology practitioners to discuss internationally recognised approaches to AI governance, risk management, assurance and accountability.
Standards take centre stage in AI development
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in financial services, healthcare, education, manufacturing and public administration. Its adoption also raises questions about privacy, security, transparency, reliability and accountability.
Standards can provide organisations with practical frameworks for evaluating risks, managing AI systems and demonstrating that appropriate controls are in place.
The workshop focused on how Nigeria could apply internationally recognised standards to the development and use of emerging technologies while supporting the country’s ambition to expand its digital economy.
The engagement is part of a longer period of collaboration between BSI and Nigerian institutions on standards, capacity building and technology policy.
Government agencies involved
The partnership has involved the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and NCAIR, among other stakeholders.
These institutions have responsibilities spanning technology development, standards, digital policy and data protection.
Coordination among them will be important as Nigeria develops approaches to AI oversight and seeks to encourage innovation while protecting individuals and organisations from potential harms.
For businesses, clearer standards can help improve understanding of the controls expected when deploying AI systems, particularly where those systems handle personal data or influence important decisions.
Balancing innovation and accountability
AI governance is becoming a significant policy issue as organisations move from experimentation to wider commercial deployment.
Poorly managed systems can introduce risks involving inaccurate outputs, privacy breaches, discriminatory outcomes and inadequate human oversight. Standards and governance frameworks can help organisations identify and address such risks, although they cannot eliminate them entirely.
The UK–Nigeria engagement provides an opportunity to strengthen technical knowledge and share approaches to responsible AI implementation.
The longer-term impact will depend on whether the workshop’s recommendations are translated into practical guidance, institutional capacity and consistent implementation across government and industry.
