Nigeria’s data protection regulator has aligned with more than 60 global counterparts to tackle privacy violations stemming from artificial intelligence tools capable of generating highly realistic images and videos of identifiable individuals.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) endorsed a joint statement coordinated by the Global Privacy Assembly’s International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group, warning of the growing misuse of AI-powered imagery tools.
The statement raises concerns about the creation of non-consensual intimate images, manipulated videos, defamatory content and other harmful material, particularly affecting children and vulnerable groups. It calls on organisations developing or deploying such systems to implement strong technical and organisational safeguards, ensure transparency in how personal data are used, provide effective mechanisms for removing harmful content, and comply fully with applicable data protection laws.
The move places Nigeria among regulators seeking coordinated international action as AI-generated deepfakes become more sophisticated and easier to produce, heightening risks to privacy and reputation.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NDPC said its endorsement forms part of broader steps by Nigerian authorities to promote responsible AI adoption.
Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, previously led efforts to develop a national AI strategy aimed at balancing innovation with safeguards.
The NDPC has also issued a General Application and Implementation Directive, mandating privacy by design and privacy by default in the development and deployment of AI tools operating in Nigeria.
Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner and chief executive officer of the NDPC, said compliance audits under the Nigeria Data Protection Act would serve as a key benchmark for monitoring how organisations use AI systems to process personal data.
Under the directive, data controllers and processors classified as being of major importance must file Compliance Audit Returns, which the Commission said would now be used to assess adherence to responsible AI standards.
The joint statement did not introduce new binding rules but signals a coordinated enforcement posture among participating authorities, reflecting mounting regulatory scrutiny of generative AI technologies worldwide.
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For Nigeria, analysts say, the alignment could strengthen cross-border cooperation on investigations involving AI-generated content that affects citizens, while reinforcing domestic enforcement as businesses increasingly integrate AI tools into operations.
