Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched a bold initiative aimed at safeguarding citizens’ rights as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widespread. The move highlights the Commission’s commitment to ensuring technological advancements respect human rights rather than infringe upon them.
Speaking at a recent webinar organised by the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CSR) in collaboration with NHRC and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu SAN, shed light on the potential dangers of AI.
Ojukwu warned about issues like algorithmic bias and privacy breaches, stressing the importance of ethical governance. “AI, if not governed with robust ethical frameworks and with human dignity at the core, can breed inequalities, result in algorithmic bias, invade privacy, and ultimately infringe on human rights,” he stated.
A New Approach to AI Governance
Rather than perceiving AI as a threat, Ojukwu emphasised the NHRC’s intention to expand its mandate into the digital space, promoting values of dignity, equality, and justice. The Commission’s strategy includes engaging tech companies to ensure AI systems are transparent and accountable.
The NHRC plans to implement human rights due diligence in digital innovation, requiring thorough assessments before deploying AI technologies. This proactive measure aims to prevent discrimination and guarantee that AI operates within ethical limits.
Despite the sophistication of AI systems, Ojukwu stressed that human oversight remains essential. He noted that the NHRC is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between government agencies, private sector developers, academic researchers, and civil society organisations in crafting AI governance frameworks.
Collaboration for Ethical AI
The NHRC’s initiative is part of a broader effort to establish ethical guidelines for AI governance in Nigeria. Partnering with organisations like IN-CSR and NITDA, the Commission aims to develop norms aligned with international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has recruited 120 experts to create a comprehensive framework for AI adoption. Also, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA, reiterated the agency’s dedication to creating diverse, high-quality local datasets to prevent biases from foreign datasets in AI training.
The NHRC’s focus on engaging tech companies and collaborating with various stakeholders underscores its commitment to ensuring AI contributes to inclusive growth, sustainable development, and the protection of human dignity.
