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Nigeria Eyes African Leadership in Ethical AI as UNESCO Unveils Readiness Report
Nigeria Eyes African Leadership in Ethical AI as UNESCO Unveils Readiness Report
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria on Monday took a major step towards positioning itself as a continental leader in the governance of artificial intelligence (AI), as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) unveiled the country’s Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment (RAM) Report and urged stakeholders to establish robust guardrails for the emerging technology.
The report, launched in Abuja, provides the first comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s preparedness to develop, deploy and regulate AI technologies in an ethical, inclusive and human-centred manner.
Speaking at the unveiling, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO’s Abuja Office, Dimitri Sanga, described AI as the most transformative technology of the modern era and warned that its unprecedented capabilities also posed significant challenges that require deliberate governance frameworks.
According to him, AI has become deeply embedded in virtually every aspect of human existence, reshaping governance, education, security, communication, innovation and economic activities.
“The world is witnessing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in all spheres of our civilisation. For the first time, humanity is said to have created a tool that could challenge its own existence if not effectively regulated,” Sanga said.
He noted that while AI presents enormous opportunities for development, its deployment must remain anchored on human rights, fairness, inclusion and sustainability.
Sanga said the assessment report should not be viewed as an end in itself but as a roadmap for informed policy decisions and coordinated actions aimed at ensuring Nigeria develops a responsible and ethical AI ecosystem.
He disclosed that UNESCO, with support from the European Union, had been working with Nigeria since 2024 to strengthen digital infrastructure, policies and institutions required for ethical AI development across five critical dimensions.
The UNESCO official also revealed that the organisation had already commenced capacity-building programmes, training more than 400 civil servants across six Nigerian states using AI literacy modules designed to enhance public sector understanding of emerging technologies.
He commended Nigeria for demonstrating leadership in incorporating UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence into its national digital transformation agenda.
“With the support of relevant ministries, departments and agencies, I am confident that this report will strengthen Nigeria’s leadership role in leveraging ethical AI for development in Africa,” he said.
The assessment comes at a time when governments across the world are racing to harness artificial intelligence for economic growth and public service delivery while simultaneously grappling with concerns over privacy, misinformation, job displacement, algorithmic bias and the potential misuse of advanced technologies.
In November 2021, UNESCO’s 193 member states unanimously adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the world’s first global normative framework designed to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that are human-centred, rights-based and sustainable.
Nigeria’s readiness assessment is expected to serve as a diagnostic tool to guide policymakers in building governance structures, strengthening research and innovation capacities, improving AI education and creating safeguards that would enable the country to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence while minimising associated risks.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that the successful implementation of the report’s recommendations could position Nigeria not only as one of Africa’s leading digital economies but also as a reference point for responsible AI governance on the continent.
Nigeria Eyes African Leadership in Ethical AI as UNESCO Unveils Readiness Report
Troops Intercept Arms Courier, Recover Weapons and Ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade, in collaboration with operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Hybrid Forces, have intercepted a suspected arms courier vehicle and recovered weapons, ammunition and communication equipment along the Sokoto-Zaria-Kaduna highway.
Security sources disclosed that the operation, conducted on June 21 based on credible intelligence, targeted a vehicle suspected to be conveying arms to Kogi State.
The sources said the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the security operatives.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, nine magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Beretta pistols with 9mm ammunition, two Baofeng handheld radios and three camouflage jackets.
According to the sources, the recovered items are currently in the custody of the troops for further investigation and exploitation.
The sources added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspect as well as uncover the network behind the arms movement.
They noted that the operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led security efforts aimed at disrupting the movement of illegal arms and ammunition across the country.
Troops Intercept Arms Courier, Recover Weapons and Ammunition
COAS Joins Security Chiefs at Nigeria-UK Defence, Security Dialogue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday joined top Nigerian security leaders at the Fourth Nigeria-United Kingdom Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue in Abuja.
The high-level meeting brought together the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and other senior security stakeholders.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Ribadu and Jonathan Powell, and focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges and advancing shared strategic interests between both countries.
Participants discussed ways of enhancing collaboration in areas such as defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, capacity building and regional security.
Security officials noted that the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom remained vital to efforts aimed at tackling security threats and promoting stability.
They added that the partnership had continued to support the development of military and security capabilities through training, technical assistance and strategic engagements.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to working with national and international partners to strengthen security, safeguard the country’s sovereignty and contribute to regional peace and stability in line with the Federal Government’s security objectives.
COAS Joins Security Chiefs at Nigeria-UK Defence, Security Dialogue
Alleged Cybercrime: Sowore Sent Back to Kuje Correctional Centre
By: Zagazola Makama
- Court Fixes June 30 To Hear Appeal on Bench Warrant
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered that politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, be sent back to the Kuje Correctional Centre until June 30 when his application for the setting aside the order of bench warrant and revocation of bail application would be considered.
On Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar, revoked the December 2025 bail he granted Sowore “based on self-recognition”, and ordered that the politician be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
Before the revocation of the bail, Justice Umar had ordered Sowore to open his defence in a matter of alleged cybercrime brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At the resumed hearing of the matter, on Wednesday, Sowore’s lawyer, R. O. Adakonye, who stood in for Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, informed the court that the matter was adjourned for hearing of their application to set aside the order of bench warrant and revocation of the bail of the defendant on account of his absence in court on 16th June, 2026.
The prosecution lawyer, A. T. Kehinde ,SAN, however, opposed the application filed by the defence. He told the court have he had filed a counter-affidavit urging the Court to refuse the application to set aside the order of bench warrant and revocation of bail against Sowore.
The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter to June 30, 2026 for ruling on the application to set aside the order of bench warrant and revocation of bail application.
The defence lawyer begged the court to release Sowore to him, with a promise to bring the politician to court hon June 30. The judge declined the defence lawyer’s request and insisted that Sowore be taken back to Kuje Correctional Centre.
The DSS resorted to prosecuting Sowore for alleged cyber-bullying after several unsuccessful appeals to make him pull down posts he made on his “X” and Facebook accounts in August 2025, calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal.”
Alleged Cybercrime: Sowore Sent Back to Kuje Correctional Centre
Troops Recover Over 2,400 Rustled Livestock After Clash with Terrorists in Zamfara
Troops Intercept Arms Courier, Recover Weapons and Ammunition
COAS Joins Security Chiefs at Nigeria-UK Defence, Security Dialogue
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