The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the use of technological advancements to promote and protect human rights in the country.
This call was the highlight of a one-day hybrid (physical and online) workshop themed “Human Rights Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Challenges and Opportunities in Africa.” The workshop was organized by the Commission in collaboration with the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CSR), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and was held in Abuja on Thursday.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, in his keynote address, emphasized the need to embrace the new digital frontier with human dignity. He noted that AI is both a catalyst and a challenge, describing it as one of the most transformative forces of our time.
“Its capabilities in data processing, automation, and decision-making have opened new avenues for innovation, economic expansion, and improved public service delivery,” he said. However, he warned that if AI is not governed with robust ethical frameworks and strong human dignity at its core, it could exacerbate inequalities, result in algorithmic bias, invade privacy, and ultimately infringe on human rights.
Dr. Ojukwu stated that the NHRC is committed to developing and advocating for comprehensive norms, guidelines, and advisory measures to ensure the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence.
“Our work will continue to build upon international human rights standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, among other relevant frameworks, to ensure that AI systems respect the rights of all individuals,” he said.
While acknowledging the increasing sophistication of AI, the NHRC boss stressed that human oversight remains vital. He reiterated that the Commission’s mandate is to ensure that human judgment, grounded in ethical and rights-based principles, guides the deployment and evolution of Artificial Intelligence.
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Dr. Ojukwu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to integrating human rights safeguards into every aspect of technological development. He also urged stakeholders to establish clear lines of accountability for both public and private entities involved in AI development and deployment.
The Acting Director of the Regulations and Compliance Department at NITDA, Barr. Emmanuel Edet, who represented the agency’s Director General, Kashifu Abdullahi, described AI as more than just a technological advancement, calling it “a transformational force reshaping societies, industries, and economies.”
“Across healthcare, finance, agriculture, defense, and governance, AI is driving innovation, improving service delivery, and increasing efficiency,” he said. However, he acknowledged that despite its benefits, AI presents significant ethical and human rights challenges.
Some of these challenges, he noted, include algorithmic bias, privacy violations, digital exclusion, and AI-driven misinformation. He stressed that these concerns necessitate a structured, ethical, and collaborative approach to AI governance—one that ensures fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and alignment with human rights principles.
The NITDA representative affirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that AI development and deployment in Nigeria adhere to ethical, transparent, and human rights-driven principles.
Also speaking at the event, the President and Lead Consultant of IN-CSR, Eustace Onuegbu, highlighted the rapid advancement of AI, noting that while it presents immense opportunities, it also raises significant ethical and human rights concerns.
He emphasized that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a crucial framework for ensuring that businesses, including those involved in AI development and deployment, respect human rights.
Onuegbu added that the workshop serves as a platform to foster collaboration and build consensus on how to ensure that AI is developed and utilized in a way that upholds and promotes human rights in Africa.
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