Nigerian govt seeks guidelines on use of AI for children

The Federal Government has called for the establishment of ethical guidelines and digital safety frameworks for children as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more prominent in society.

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the appeal on Saturday during the first AI Summit for Children in Africa, held in Lagos as part of the Kids Tech Fest.

Speaking through her media aide, Mr. Johnathan Eze, the minister said collaboration among policymakers, developers, parents, and educators is necessary to ensure children are protected in the digital space.

She stressed the need for child-specific cybersecurity frameworks and inclusive innovation spaces that prioritise the safety, mental well-being, and development of Nigerian children.

“As our children embrace AI, robotics, and other digital solutions, we must also keep pace as their guardians,” she said. “We must invest deeply in their safety, education, and dreams.”

The event was organised by Digital Equity Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other partners.

Also speaking at the summit, Lavina Ramkissoon, Ambassador and Master of Technology Advisor at the African Union, said Africa must align political, parental, and educational will to fully adopt AI responsibly.

She called for future planning, including policies that address internet usage, child protection, and human rights in relation to emerging technologies.

“Within the next 10 to 15 years, humanoids may become part of our workforce. Are we preparing our leaders and managers to handle that reality?” she asked.

Convener of the Kids Tech Fest, Mrs Justina Nnamoha, said the event was aimed at creating awareness about the relevance of AI for Nigerian children and how to integrate them into the digital world safely and contextually.

Over 200 school children between ages six and sixteen attended the event, which featured workshops and panel discussions on child safety and AI education.