Nigeria Emerges Among Global Leaders in Responsible AI Governance

Nigeria has emerged as one of the leading performers in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), earning international recognition for its efforts to build a responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence ecosystem at a time when many governments are struggling to keep pace with the rapid adoption of AI technologies.

The recognition comes as the second edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI found that while AI adoption is accelerating worldwide, governance frameworks are lagging behind. The report, which assessed 135 countries and jurisdictions, concluded that responsible AI governance is expanding globally but “not fast enough, deeply enough, or equitably enough” to match the pace of AI deployment. It also found that average global scores remain low, with many countries lacking the institutional capacity to translate AI commitments into enforceable protections.

Reacting to Nigeria’s performance, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the country’s strong showing demonstrates that deliberate investments in responsible AI are gaining global recognition.

According to the minister, the achievement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building an AI ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive and grounded in trust, while supporting the Federal Government’s ambition of positioning the country as a global leader in responsible AI.

Tijani attributed the progress to several initiatives introduced over the past two years, including the National AI Strategy, the recently approved National AI Trust, and the AI Collective, which brings together government, academia, industry and civil society to shape the country’s AI future. He added that investments in AI infrastructure, research, talent development and governance have created the foundation for sustainable AI growth.

Nigeria’s recognition is particularly significant against the backdrop of the report’s findings on the Global South. While the Index notes that developing countries have made substantial progress in expanding responsible AI governance since the first edition, it also highlights that most of these frameworks remain voluntary rather than legally binding. Framework coverage in Global South countries increased by 83 percent between editions, but 78 percent of the governance frameworks identified remain non-binding, limiting their ability to provide enforceable protections.
The report also warns that governments worldwide are struggling to translate AI policies into practical implementation. Although responsible AI frameworks are becoming more common, evidence of implementation exists in only 55 percent of cases globally and drops to 45 percent across Global South countries, highlighting a persistent gap between policy commitments and real-world governance.

Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s inclusion among the leading performers underscores the country’s growing influence in Africa’s AI governance landscape. The recognition aligns with the Index’s broader call for stronger institutions, greater transparency, enforceable protections and increased South-South cooperation to ensure AI development advances in the public interest.

Tijani said the achievement belongs to Nigeria’s researchers, policymakers, innovators, civil society organisations and development partners, whose collective efforts have helped shape the country’s AI ecosystem.

He added that Nigeria will continue strengthening responsible AI governance by investing in trusted institutions, expanding digital infrastructure and ensuring that AI contributes to economic growth while safeguarding citizens’ rights.