Nigeria Endorses Global Agreement to Protect Privacy from AI-Generated Content

Nigeria has joined 60 other countries in endorsing a global agreement to protect individuals’ privacy from the misuse of AI-generated images and videos. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission will monitor compliance, while the initiative aligns with the country’s National AI Strategy led by Dr Bosun Tijani, promoting responsible AI use, accountability, and privacy protection.

Nigeria has formally joined 60 other countries in endorsing a global agreement aimed at safeguarding individuals’ privacy from the potential misuse of artificial intelligence technologies capable of generating highly realistic images and videos. The move comes as concerns grow worldwide over AI-powered tools being used to create non-consensual imagery, defamatory content, and other harmful materials that particularly affect children and other vulnerable groups.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) became a signatory to the “Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy,” a global initiative coordinated by the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group of the Global Privacy Assembly. The statement calls on governments, organisations, and developers to implement strong safeguards to prevent misuse, ensure transparency in AI systems, provide effective mechanisms for removing harmful content, and fully comply with existing data protection laws. It reflects a growing international consensus on the need for responsible AI deployment, particularly in areas that impact personal privacy and human dignity.
Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, highlighted that Nigeria’s endorsement demonstrates the country’s commitment to responsible AI use and the protection of its citizens’ privacy. He explained that compliance audit returns from major data controllers and processors would serve as a benchmark for monitoring responsible AI use in Nigeria, ensuring that organisations deploying AI tools adhere to strict privacy and ethical standards.
This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader National AI Strategy, championed by Dr Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. As part of this strategy, the NDPC has issued the General Application and Implementation Directive, which mandates that AI systems be designed and deployed with privacy by design and privacy by default. This directive ensures that AI tools integrate strong privacy protections from the outset and that developers consider the ethical implications of their technologies.
By signing the joint statement, Nigeria positions itself among the leading countries globally in proactively addressing the risks associated with AI misuse. The country’s approach emphasizes accountability, transparency, and the safeguarding of citizen rights, ensuring that the rapid advancement of AI technologies benefits society without compromising personal privacy or exposing individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, to harm. This move underscores Nigeria’s commitment to creating a regulatory framework that balances technological innovation with human rights protections, setting an example for other nations navigating the challenges of artificial intelligence.