The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has formally aligned with more than 60 international data protection authorities to combat privacy abuses stemming from artificial intelligence tools that generate realistic images and videos, marking a bold step in the country’s enforcement of responsible AI practices.
The NDPC endorsed the “Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy,” coordinated by the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group (IEWG) of the Global Privacy Assembly. The declaration highlights growing concerns over AI-powered tools being misused to create non-consensual intimate images, manipulated videos, defamatory content, and other harmful materials risks that disproportionately affect children and vulnerable groups.
National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, described the endorsement as a clear commitment to safeguarding citizens. “The endorsement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to responsible AI use and the protection of citizens’ privacy,” he said. “Compliance audit returns from major data controllers and processors will serve as a yardstick for monitoring responsible AI use in Nigeria.”
The joint statement issued in late February and backed by authorities spanning four continents does not create new binding laws but signals coordinated global enforcement. It calls on organisations developing or deploying AI systems to adopt strong technical and organisational safeguards, ensure transparency in how personal data is used, establish effective mechanisms for removing harmful content, and fully comply with existing data protection regulations. It further notes that the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery can already constitute a criminal offence in many jurisdictions.
In Nigeria, the move builds directly on domestic measures. The NDPC has already issued its General Application and Implementation Directive, which mandates “privacy by design” and “privacy by default” principles in the development and deployment of AI tools operating within the country. Compliance audits under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 will now scrutinise how organisations process personal data with AI, with major data controllers required to submit detailed returns.
This aligns with Nigeria’s broader National AI Strategy, championed by Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, which seeks to balance technological innovation with robust ethical safeguards.
Alignment with Global Trends:
Nigeria’s action mirrors a worldwide surge in regulatory scrutiny of generative AI. The international statement emerged amid high-profile investigations into tools like xAI’s Grok chatbot, which faced backlash for enabling millions of non-consensual sexualised images. Countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas are responding similarly: the European Union is advancing a ban on sexualised AI deepfakes, while the United States has enacted the TAKE IT DOWN Act to criminalise non-consensual intimate deepfakes and digital forgeries.
Experts say the coordinated approach strengthens cross-border cooperation. “When 61 data protection regulators from every continent come together… it sends a warning that regulators intend to use the mechanisms available to them,” noted platform regulation specialist Owen Bennett.
NDPC officials have framed the endorsement as “part of a continuum of steps” Nigeria is taking to ensure responsible AI adoption, building on earlier enforcement actions that have already seen the commission collect billions of naira in data privacy penalties and launch widespread compliance audits.
As generative AI tools become more accessible, Nigeria’s proactive stance positions the country not just as a follower of global standards but as an active participant in shaping them sending a clear message that privacy violations, even those powered by cutting-edge technology, will not go unchecked.
Industry analysts expect the NDPC to ramp up audits and potential enforcement actions in the coming months, with particular focus on platforms and developers operating in Nigeria.
