The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Nigerian government to invest in developing and owning Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology rather than relying on imported products and services.
The Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Y. Z. Ya’u, made the call in his welcome address at the 7th Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS 2026), held at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano, on Wednesday.
The address was delivered on his behalf by Malam Isah Garba, a representative of the organisation.
Ya’u said Nigeria must move beyond purchasing AI products and services to developing indigenous technologies that would promote innovation and address 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 said Nigerian youths had demonstrated creativity and innovation in their engagement with emerging technologies, but required an enabling environment to translate their ideas into practical solutions.
Ya’u urged the government to create the necessary conditions to support young innovators and strengthen the country’s capacity to develop home-grown AI systems.
He also stressed the need for effective data governance, warning that Nigeria’s weak data ecosystem could undermine its ability 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 extract 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 called for improved electricity and water supply, noting that reliable infrastructure was essential for operating data centres and establishing a strong foundation for indigenous AI development.
He cautioned that building data centres alone would not guarantee technological independence without addressing the infrastructure needed to sustain them.
“AI is no substitute for such municipal services as constant and affordable electricity and water supply,” he said.
The executive director said data sovereignty was critical to Nigeria’s AI ambitions, adding that the country needed to ensure that its data was responsibly collected, protected and used in accordance with applicable laws.
The summit, themed “Future of Governance: AI, Innovation, and Citizen Engagement,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the implications of emerging technologies for governance, public service delivery and citizen participation.
Ya’u said the summit would provide a platform to examine the opportunities and risks associated with AI, including privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, misinformation, discrimination and digital inequality.
He emphasised that technology alone could not guarantee good governance, stressing the importance of transparent institutions, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
He called on government officials, academics, media practitioners, civil society organisations, technology professionals and social influencers to collaborate in developing practical recommendations for inclusive and responsible AI deployment in Nigeria.
KANSIS, which began in 2019, has evolved into a platform for discussions on digital technology, governance, social justice and citizen participation.