Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced a strategic initiative to collaborate with technology companies on the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to protect human dignity and uphold rights in the face of rapid digital transformation.
Unveiled at a 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 initiative emphasizes inclusive, rights-based AI governance. NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu called for AI innovation to align with international human rights principles, cautioning that technological progress should never come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.
To achieve this, the NHRC will foster collaboration between government bodies, tech firms, academia, and civil society. It has also launched a new unit under its Legal Services and Enforcement Department dedicated to monitoring AI’s impact on human rights and establishing mechanisms for redress.
NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, stressed the importance of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), urging companies to conduct risk assessments and ensure compliance. He called on both public and private actors to implement clear accountability measures and offer recourse for individuals whose rights may be harmed by AI systems.
The Commission’s actions are anchored in global frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Nigeria’s own National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
By engaging early in AI regulation, the NHRC hopes to guide Nigeria toward a future where innovation and ethical responsibility go hand in hand, safeguarding rights while enabling the technological growth of AI.
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