The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has said Nigeria is ready to lead the way in closing the global technology gap between developed and developing countries.
He made the remarks while addressing various world delegates at the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Debate in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.
With the theme ‘Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future’, Kalu said the African continent needs to build a digital economic hub that empowers countries to compete globally. He said that regional cooperation is necessary within the country.
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In a statement by Chief Press Secretary Levinas Nwabugiogu, the Deputy Speaker said the country is also working to introduce a national artificial intelligence (AI) policy framework that will pave the way for the ethical use of AI in addressing major challenges. He said there was. , from automating agricultural processes to enhancing healthcare delivery.
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He said: “Our legislative and executive actions clearly reflect Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging STI. We passed the Nigeria Start-up Act, a landmark law aimed at achieving this goal.
“This law provides a legal framework to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in our country and supports the growth of STI startups. It also emphasizes encouragement.
“Building on this momentum, Nigeria is now working towards implementing a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This policy, led by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, will pave the way for the ethical use of AI to address critical challenges, from automating agricultural processes to enhancing healthcare delivery. .
“We envision a future where AI optimizes wage employment rather than destroying it, and ensures that automation creates jobs rather than destroying them.”
He said the rise of AI has brought both opportunities and challenges as digital transformation accelerates, adding that AI is emerging as a powerful tool in governance, financial services and public administration in Nigeria.
But he cautioned that with any technological leap, the country needs to be aware of the risks.
He added: “While artificial intelligence increases efficiency, it also raises concerns about data protection, misinformation and job losses. The integrity of universal electoral processes is a global imperative, and the developments pose threats to this, particularly the proliferation of disinformation and cyber vulnerabilities in electoral systems.
“We call for the responsible use of AI to protect the integrity of democratic processes, especially against threats such as deepfakes and the spread of disinformation.”
Kalu also said the policy will also prioritize appropriate legal measures to protect the rights of citizens in the use and application of artificial intelligence.
