UK helps Nigeria with AI governance standards
The UK’s embassy in Nigeria has renewed its pledge to help the country advance its digital transformation plans. This comes after a series of productive meetings and activities during a recent Nigerian visit by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Focus on AI Regulation and Technical Standards
A key highlight was the successful Executive Workshop on AI Governance and Standards, organized jointly with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) as part of the UK’s Digital Access Programme.
Spanning four days, the workshop gathered high-ranking government officials, regulatory bodies, and technology experts to enhance Nigeria’s ability to responsibly develop, oversee, and implement artificial intelligence. Discussions centered on applying globally recognized frameworks for AI governance, risk assessment, compliance verification, and accountability mechanisms.
Building Expertise and Policy Development
In collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPC), and other key partners, BSI has been assisting in workforce development, policy formulation, and public awareness regarding international standards for cutting-edge digital solutions.
As Nigeria rapidly integrates advanced technologies, standards have emerged as essential building blocks for progress. They establish unified frameworks that support public confidence, bolster cybersecurity measures, improve data management, facilitate system compatibility, and encourage ethical technology deployment.
The UK and Nigeria are now aligning efforts to adopt global best practices in AI regulation, digital trust frameworks, data protection, cybersecurity, smart infrastructure, government digital services, and electronic waste management.
Workshop Highlights AI Governance Progress
The AI Governance and Standards Workshop marked another significant step in this partnership. Over three days of focused training, government leaders examined how international standards can help organizations mitigate AI-related risks, enhance regulatory oversight, and create supportive environments for technological innovation.
Attendees reviewed key standards, including ISO/IEC 42001 for AI management systems and ISO/IEC 23894 for AI risk mitigation. The event concluded with a high-level closing ceremony in Abuja, bringing together policymakers, regulators, standards specialists, industry leaders, and development partners to discuss Nigeria’s future in AI governance and standards-driven innovation.
Addressing the gathering, Grace Bell, the British High Commission’s Digital and Economic Partnerships Counselor, emphasized how standards are vital for harnessing the potential of new technologies. She stated:
“Artificial intelligence holds vast potential for economic growth, innovation, and societal progress. However, unlocking these benefits demands robust governance structures, capable institutions, and reliable standards to ensure safe, secure, and ethical implementation.”
Bell added that the UK-Nigeria standards partnership has broadened to cover digital trade assurance, AI policy frameworks, public digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data privacy, with expanding possibilities in electronic waste management and digital healthcare.
Enhancing Nigeria’s AI Governance Framework
On behalf of Nigeria’s government, Dr. Olubunmi Ajala, coordinator of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), stressed the need to strengthen the country’s AI governance capabilities. He expressed gratitude to the UK government and BSI for their ongoing collaboration.
At the workshop’s conclusion, participating officials were recognized for their contributions, reinforcing a network of policymakers, regulators, and practitioners committed to promoting responsible AI use across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
Beyond the AI governance workshop, BSI engaged with additional government agencies to evaluate Nigeria’s electronic waste management systems and explore ways to strengthen existing partnerships on digital trade standards.
