Stakeholders have urged Nigeria to develop an enabling framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing the need for equitable rules and policies that ensure technology is governed responsibly and benefits all, amid growing concerns over ethics, data security and global digital inequalities.

They spoke during the third Lagos Forum 2026 themed “A People-Centred Approach to AI Governance: Nigeria-China Cooperation to Bridge the Divide,” jointly organised by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and Institute of African Studies (IAS), Zhejiang Normal University (ZNU), in Lagos yesterday.
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Professor of International Relations, Femi Otubanjo, representing the Director-General, NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said that as AI has rapidly become one of the defining technologies of this age, there are equally significant challenges relating to ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, transparency, accountability, and the future of work.

‎He stated that the question is no longer whether AI will shape our future, but how we can govern it responsibly for the benefit of humanity.

Otubanjo said that for Nigeria, AI presents an opportunity to accelerate socio-economic development, improve public service delivery, and enhance global competitiveness, saying that this potential can only be realised by addressing critical gaps in digital infrastructure, technical expertise, research capacity, regulatory frameworks, and investment.
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According to him, it is in this context that cooperation between Nigeria and China assumes strategic importance. China emerges as one of the world’s foremost AI innovators, while Nigeria has a large youthful population and a dynamic technology ecosystem.
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He, however, stated that the partnership must go beyond technology transfer to embrace collaborative research, capacity building, digital infrastructure development, policy dialogue, and the establishment of governance frameworks that promote ethical, transparent, secure, and inclusive AI.
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Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, expressed concerns over ethical risks and data security challenges due to rapid technological advancement.
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She also frowned on attempts by some countries to use national security as an excuse to ban technology imports from China, emphasising that technology should benefit everyone.
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Yan stressed that China’s AI development principles include openness, innovation, security, inclusiveness, and global governance, adding that China proposed the Global AI governance initiative and promoted international cooperation on AI.
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Yuqing said that African countries are emerging as key engines for AI development, adding that China plans to provide developing countries with AI training and seminar opportunities over the next five years.
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Lecturer at IASZNU, Prof. Efem Ubi emphasised the importance of building an inclusive AI future with responsible innovation.
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He noted that rapid technological development is causing significant global changes, which are impacting how humans interact, stressing the need for partnership and capacity building for Africa’s involvement in AI infrastructure.
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Director of IAS at the university in Jinhua, China, Prof. Liu Hongwu, said that existing cooperation between China and Africa focuses on technology, education, and industrialisation.
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He stated that training the young generation is key for future cooperation, adding that universities in Nigeria and China are advancing this through cooperative educational efforts.