The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged Nigerians to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and use it responsibly as a tool for wealth creation and national growth. Speaking at the 6th Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS) themed “Toward a More Inclusive Governance of AI,” CITAD’s Senior Program Officer, Isa Garba, said the goal of the summit was to educate Nigerians about technology and ensure the country does not lag behind in the ongoing digital revolution.
Garba, who represented CITAD’s Executive Director, Y.Z. Yau, emphasized that Nigerians must stop being afraid of AI and instead learn how to use it to solve problems. “We need to wake up, learn AI, and use it to create wealth and drive development,” he said. He explained that dependency on foreign technologies makes Nigeria vulnerable to exploitation. He also noted that AI already influences daily activities, such as recommending videos on social media, which shows the importance of understanding how these systems work.
Another speaker, Prof. Bala Mohammed of Bayero University, Kano, warned that the misuse of AI could worsen disinformation and pose a threat to democracy. He stressed that innovation must be balanced with ethics to prevent harm. “Wrongful deployment of AI has become one of the greatest communication challenges confronting African countries,” he said, calling for responsible use that supports truth and social harmony.
Abdulmalik Jamoh, representing Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, raised concerns about privacy violations, warning that many AI systems collect user data without consent. He advocated for strong data governance frameworks and privacy-by-design policies to ensure AI is used for the public good. Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, who represented the state governor, praised CITAD for sustaining the summit and acknowledged that AI literacy remains low in Nigeria. He revealed that the state has established a Ministry of Information Technology to support innovation and youth empowerment.
Experts at the summit agreed that solving AI-related challenges requires collaboration among government agencies, academia, civil society, the private sector, and the media. They stressed that digital literacy and AI education are key to ensuring that all Nigerians—regardless of gender, background, or ability—can benefit from technological advancements. The event also featured interactive panel discussions and appearances by top social influencers, including Dan Bello, J.J. Omojuwa, Rinu Oduala, and RaRaRa, who shared insights on responsible digital influence and innovation.
