CITAD tasks FG on indigenous AI technology and stronger data protection – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Federal Government to invest in indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) technology and strengthen data sovereignty to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign technology providers.

CITAD Executive Director, Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, made the appeal in his welcome speech at the seventh Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS 2026), held in Kano. The speech was delivered on his behalf by Malam Isa Garba.

Ya’u said Nigeria must go beyond purchasing AI products and services from foreign companies to develop and own the technology locally, particularly to support innovation and address governance challenges.

“Nigeria cannot remain at the level of going to market and purchasing AI products and services as if they were plug-and-play products. We must get to the level of producing and owning this technology,” he said.

He said young Nigerians have demonstrated creativity in their engagement with emerging technologies, but they need an enabling environment to transform their ideas into practical solutions. He urged the Government to support young innovators and invest in the development of home-grown artificial intelligence systems.

The CITAD Executive Director also expressed concern about Nigeria’s data management systems, noting that much of the country’s data remained in analogue formats and fragmented systems, limiting the country’s ability to develop and control its own AI technology.

He called for greater data governance and accountability, urging the government to ensure that foreign technology companies are held accountable for how they collect and use information belonging to Nigerian citizens and institutions.

“We must hold foreign companies accountable for any data they extract from our citizens and systems,” Ya’u said.

He also highlighted the need for reliable supplies of electricity and water, describing them as essential infrastructure for the operation of data centers and to support the development of indigenous AI technology. He warned that setting up data centers without meeting these basic requirements would not ensure technological independence.

“AI cannot replace municipal services such as the constant and affordable supply of electricity and water,” he said, adding that Nigeria must ensure that its data is collected, protected and used responsibly in accordance with applicable laws.

The summit, themed “The Future of Governance: Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Citizen Engagement”, brought together stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies, in particular their implications for governance, public service delivery and citizen participation.

Ya’u said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss concerns related to artificial intelligence, including privacy violations, algorithmic bias, misinformation, discrimination and digital inequality. He argued that technology alone cannot ensure good governance without transparent institutions, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.

He called on government officials, academics, media professionals, civil society organizations, technology professionals and social media influencers to work together to develop practical recommendations for the inclusive and responsible implementation of AI in Nigeria.

One of the paper’s panelists, Dr Usman Bugaje, said that AI could help security agencies identify and track criminals, highlighting its potential contribution in addressing the country’s security challenges. The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa, attended the summit alongside Professor Jibrin Haruna, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Isa Sanusi and Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu, among other participants.

KANSIS, started in 2019, has developed into a platform for discussions on digital technology, governance, social justice and citizen participation.