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Inuwa, DG NITDA Cautions on AI as Nigeria Seeks Inclusive Global Governance
Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasized on the dual nature of artificial intelligence (AI) as both an opportunity and a challenge.
Represented by Mr. Emmanuel Edet, Director of Standard Guidelines and Framework, NITDA, while delivering a keynote speech on the third day of Nigeria Fintech Week, said: “We must consider not just the immense potential of artificial intelligence, but also our responsibility in shaping their development and employment,”.
Speaking on the topic: Global AI Regulation: The Role Of Africa And The Global South, the Director General stated that while AI presents unparalleled opportunities for growth, innovation, and problem-solving, it also poses unique challenges requiring careful consideration and proactive measures.
He pointed out, “As we witness the rapid deployment of AI technologies, primarily in the global north, it is crucial that we, the nations of Africa and the global south, assert our place in this evolving landscape.”
He stressed that participation in this AI revolution is not merely beneficial but essential to ensure that AI serves the interests of all humanity, rather than just a privileged few in advanced countries.
Dr. Abdullahi noted that the regulatory landscape for AI is still in its infancy. “While nations like the United States, China, and the European Union are making strides in developing AI governance frameworks, this effort often reflects their specific contexts and priorities,” he explained. “However, AI’s impact will be global; it is already global, and its regulation must be global as well.”
He elaborated on the complexities of AI, saying, “As with most powerful technologies, AI presents both opportunities and challenges. Issues of data privacy, algorithmic bias, job displacement, and geopolitical competition underscore the need for a clear, fair, and inclusive regulatory regime.”
He asserted that the voices of the global south, particularly Africa, must be at the heart of these discussions to ensure that regulations consider diverse cultural, economic, and social contexts.
“The challenges and opportunities presented by AI in Lagos, Nairobi, or Johannesburg may differ significantly from those in Silicon Valley or even Shanghai,” he noted, stressing the need for targeted solutions that reflect local realities.
Dr. Abdullahi called for collective advocacy from Africa and the global south for inclusivity in global AI governance. He stated, “Our unique context and challenges—such as infrastructure gaps, education systems, and social values—must be considered.”
Speaking further, he outlined some of NITDA’s initiatives to ensure a solid AI framework in Nigeria. “As DG of NITDA, my driving force for the first AI revolution has been the development of the national AI strategy and the establishment of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics,” he said. “These aim to foster research and development of AI and to create a transforming and inclusive AI ecosystem.”
Speaking on NITDA’s focus on promoting responsible AI deployment, Dr. Abdullahi said “We are dedicated to advancing sustainable development, investing in research and development infrastructure, and creating a robust AI governance framework,” he affirmed, placing a focus on the role of collaboration among stakeholders. “We must form strategic alliances to amplify our authentic voice in global AI models, group organisations, and the African Union.”
Giving a solid closing statement, he said, “While Africa and the global south may not currently be at the forefront of AI nations, we have a critical role today in shaping its regulatory future. Together, we can shift and react.”
Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has awarded a total of N13 million in grants to three standout tech startups at the 2025 Techpreneur Summit held in Lagos, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and inclusive growth among Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The winners include: BuyScrap, a digital marketplace for recyclable materials – N6 million; Qiqi Farms, which connects local farmers to hospitality and export markets – N4 million; Eco-Cyclers, a youth-led recycling initiative based in Enugu – N3 million
Alongside the grant awards, DBN also launched a new digital data asset, a first-of-its-kind platform aimed at enabling data-driven decisions within the MSME ecosystem.
The platform offers deep insights into business trends, sector-specific challenges, and growth opportunities—supporting smarter policymaking and targeted investments.
In his keynote address in Lagos, Tony Okpanachi, managing director/ CEO, DBN, described the event’s theme, “CTRL + SHIFT: Tech Empowered Movement for Naija,” as a strategic call to reimagine enterprise development in Nigeria.
“This isn’t just a keyboard shortcut,” he said. “It’s a mindset reset—powered by technology—to build a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient business landscape. From financing to innovation, DBN remains committed to enabling MSMEs to thrive.”
Okpanachi emphasized that the Summit aligns with DBN’s AMPLIFI Strategy, which integrates digital transformation, sustainability, and scalability into its core programs.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Digital Shift Workshops and the Eco-Innovation Challenge as key steps toward embedding innovation in Nigeria’s MSME sector.
Encouraging young innovators, he added: “The future belongs to those bold enough to imagine and build it. DBN is proud to support the ideas that will shape tomorrow.”
A major highlight was the unveiling of the DBN Data Asset—a digital platform designed to provide real-time, evidence-based insights into Nigeria’s MSME landscape.
The platform combines DBN’s proprietary data with external sources like the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to offer a comprehensive view of MSME performance by region and sector.
Jeremy Dan Okayi, DBN’s Head of Strategy, Policy & Innovation, described the platform as: “A reservoir of insight, potential, and direction—built on two years of collaboration and shared vision. This tool will support informed decision-making across the public and private sectors.”
News
FCCPC Shuts France, Belgium, and Italy Visa Centres in Abuja Over Alleged Consumer Rights Violations
In a bold enforcement action, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), supported by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has sealed off the visa application centres of France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja over alleged consumer protection breaches and obstruction of regulatory investigations.
The affected centres—located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District and operated by TLS Contact, a Teleperformance Company—were shut down following reports that they refused to accept formal correspondence from the FCCPC regarding a consumer complaint. The Commission cited further infractions, including obstruction of investigation and alleged assault of its officers during lawful duties.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the FCCPC, explained: “This is an enforcement operation against TLS. On March 25, 2025, we served them a letter to address a consumer complaint, which they refused to accept. Instead, TLS officers assaulted our team, and in a subsequent visit on June 17, they also allegedly assaulted uniformed police officers.”
Citing Section 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), Mrs. Adeyinka emphasized that failure to comply with Commission directives constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment, fines of up to ₦20 million, or both.
TLS has been ordered to appear before the Commission on June 20, 2025, to provide testimony, submit evidence, and make formal depositions. The company may be held liable for any financial losses suffered by applicants due to the disruption of visa services.
Despite multiple requests for comment, management at TLS Contact declined to respond as of press time.
Adedapo Segun, chief financial officer (CFO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has explained why there is a missing sum of N210 trillion in the company’s audited financial statement spanning from 2017 to 2023.
According to Segun, the missing funds are cash calls requested by joint venture (JV) partners and settlement to the JVs.
He spokeat a session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Aliyu Wadada.
Segun was responding to an alarm raised by the committee over missing N210 trillion in NNPCL’s audited financial statement.
Recall that Wadada issued a one-week ultimatum to NNPCL to account for the missing N210 trillion.
Reacting, Segun said, “The N103 trillion and N107 trillion are made up of joint venture cash calls that have been requested by the JV operators and JV cash call payments made by NNPCL, which are yet to be reconciled because governance procedures were not done at that time.
“That is why you see the description reflecting those two items would be washed out because they are two sides of the same transaction, which is the cash calls by JV partners and the settlement by NNPCL.”
However, Habu Sadeik, a financial analyst, in a post on X on Thursday, said Segun’s response was unsatisfactory.
Saidik faulted NNPCL’s response about the fund discrepancies, noting that something is not right with the audited financial statement.
“Forget about the senators’ lack of knowledge.
“The CFO’s response is not satisfactory. Are you saying that cash calls worth hundreds of trillions are just appearing on your FS only in 2024 without 31 disclosure?
“If it’s a cash call, why hasn’t the disclosure said so?
“Which cash call is over 100 trillion?
“Something is definitely not right, and I hope they retrospectively correct that FS.
“Someone somewhere did a chef’s work,” he wrote on X.
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