The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged the Federal Government to invest in developing and owning indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported digital products and services.
The Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Y. Z. Ya’u, made the call during his welcome address at the 7th Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS 2026), held on Wednesday at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano State.
The address was delivered on his behalf by a representative of the organisation, Malam Isah Garba.
Ya’u said Nigeria must move beyond purchasing AI products and services from foreign companies to developing home-grown technologies capable of promoting innovation and addressing the country’s governance challenges.
“Nigeria cannot remain at the level of going to the market and purchasing AI products and services as if they are some plug-and-play products. We must get to the level of producing and owning this technology,” he said.
He noted that Nigerian youths had demonstrated considerable creativity and innovation in their engagement with emerging technologies but needed an enabling environment to transform their ideas into practical solutions.
The CITAD executive director called on the government to provide the necessary support for young innovators and strengthen the country’s capacity to develop indigenous AI systems.
He also emphasised the importance of effective data governance, warning that weaknesses in Nigeria’s data ecosystem could undermine efforts to develop and control AI technology.
According to him, much of the country’s data remains in analogue formats and fragmented systems, while foreign technology companies continue to collect data from Nigerian citizens and institutions.
“We must hold foreign companies accountable for every data they extract from our citizens and systems,” he said.
Ya’u further identified inadequate electricity and water supply as major challenges to Nigeria’s technological ambitions, stressing that reliable infrastructure was essential for operating data centres and supporting indigenous AI development.
He cautioned that establishing data centres without addressing the basic infrastructure required to sustain them would not guarantee technological independence.
“AI is no substitute for such municipal services as constant and affordable electricity and water supply,” he added.
On data sovereignty, Ya’u said Nigeria must ensure that citizens’ data was responsibly collected, adequately protected and utilised in line with applicable laws and regulations.
He explained that the country’s AI ambitions must be supported by strong data protection frameworks and effective mechanisms for holding technology companies accountable.
The 7th Kano Social Influencers Summit, themed “Future of Governance: AI, Innovation, and Citizen Engagement,” brought together stakeholders to examine the growing influence of emerging technologies on governance, public service delivery and citizen participation.
Ya’u said the summit provided an opportunity to discuss both the benefits and potential risks of artificial intelligence, including privacy violations, algorithmic bias, misinformation, discrimination and digital inequality.
He stressed that technology alone could not guarantee good governance, noting that transparent institutions, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights remained essential.
He urged government officials, academics, media practitioners, civil society organisations, technology professionals and social media influencers to work together in developing practical recommendations for inclusive and responsible AI deployment in Nigeria.
KANSIS, which was established in 2019, has evolved into a platform for discussions on digital technology, governance, social justice and citizen participation.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
