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Frameworks · Nigeria

AI governance frameworks and AI regulation in Nigeria

Nigeria has no AI-specific law in force. It governs AI through the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, whose section 37 covers solely automated decisions, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission's GAID 2025, which makes impact assessments mandatory for profiling and automated decisions and sets conditions for deploying AI on personal data.

Who regulates AI here

Nigeria

Nigeria regulates automated decisions through the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, with conditions for deploying AI on personal data set by the Data Protection Commission's GAID 2025.

LawNDPA section 37Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and automated decision-makingSection 37 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 gives people a right not to be subject to solely automated decisions. Exceptions, safeguards and AI.In force since 12 June 2023Regulator guidanceGAID 2025NDPA General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 and AIThe NDPC's GAID 2025 sets conditions for deploying AI on personal data in Nigeria, with mandatory DPIAs for profiling and automated decisions. What it asks.Issued 20 March 2025. In effect since 19 September 2025.

All Nigeria frameworks

International

Standards and frameworks that apply across borders. Most organisations use one of these as the backbone of their AI governance, whatever their jurisdiction.

StandardISO/IEC 42001ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI management systemsISO/IEC 42001 is the certifiable international standard for an AI management system. What it requires, how Annex A works and how to get ready to certify.Published December 2023, current editionIn Aicura from ProStandardISO/IEC 42005ISO/IEC 42005:2025 AI system impact assessmentISO/IEC 42005 is international guidance on assessing how an AI system affects people and society, when to assess, what to record and how it links to 42001.Published May 2025, current editionVoluntary frameworkNIST AI RMFNIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)The NIST AI RMF is a voluntary framework for managing AI risk through four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage. What it asks and who uses it worldwide.Version 1.0 current, revision under wayIn Aicura from ProVoluntary frameworkNIST Generative AI ProfileNIST AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)NIST AI 600-1 applies the AI Risk Management Framework to generative AI. Its 12 risks, the suggested actions behind them and who uses the profile and why.Final, published July 2024StandardISO/IEC 23894ISO/IEC 23894:2023 Guidance on AI risk managementISO/IEC 23894 adapts the ISO 31000 risk process to AI. What the guidance covers, its AI risk sources and lifecycle mapping, and how it fits with ISO 42001.Published February 2023, current editionStandardISO/IEC 38507ISO/IEC 38507:2022 Governance implications of the use of AI by organizationsISO/IEC 38507 is guidance for boards on governing an organisation's use of AI. What it asks of directors, how it links to ISO/IEC 38500 and who uses it.Published April 2022, current editionVoluntary frameworkOECD AI PrinciplesOECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles)The OECD AI Principles are the intergovernmental standard for trustworthy AI, adopted 2019 and revised 2024. The five principles and how to apply them.Adopted May 2019, revised May 2024Voluntary frameworkHUDERIAHUDERIA: Risk and impact assessment of AI systems for human rights, democracy and the rule of lawHUDERIA is the Council of Europe's method for assessing AI risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its four elements, scoring and who uses it.Methodology and Model adopted, non-bindingLawCouncil of Europe AI ConventionCouncil of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225)The Council of Europe AI Convention is the first binding international treaty on AI. Who has signed and ratified, what it asks of parties and when it applies.Open for signature, not yet in forceVoluntary frameworkG7 Hiroshima Code of ConductHiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI SystemsThe G7 Hiroshima Code of Conduct sets 11 voluntary actions for advanced AI developers, with OECD HAIP reporting. What it asks and who reports under HAIP 2.0.Voluntary, reporting framework v2.0 liveVoluntary frameworkUNESCO AI Ethics RecommendationUNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceUNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is the global standard its member states adopted in 2021. Its values, principles and Ethical Impact Assessment.Adopted November 2021

All International frameworks

Aicura in Nigeria

Frameworks elsewhere

Guides

Questions

Does Nigeria have an AI law?

No. Nigeria has no AI-specific law in force. A National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill and several AI bills have been before the National Assembly, but none had become law by October 2026. The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the NDPC's GAID 2025 are the binding rules for AI that processes personal data.

What does the GAID 2025 say about artificial intelligence?

Article 43 requires anyone deploying AI or other emerging technologies on personal data to document technical and organisational parameters, carry out a DPIA that assesses disparate outcomes, test in low-risk environments, retest or discard tools with unmitigable risk, and monitor continuously once a system is in use.

Is there a right not to be subject to automated decisions in Nigeria?

Yes. Section 37 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 gives data subjects the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, that produces legal or similar significant effects. Exceptions cover contracts, written law and consent, and the controller must still provide human intervention and a way to contest.

Who regulates AI in Nigeria?

No single body. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission regulates AI that processes personal data, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy leads AI policy, and sector regulators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria set expectations for the institutions they supervise.

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