The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger consumer protection as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure continue to expand across Nigeria’s digital economy.
In a statement on Monday, the agency warned that emerging technologies are increasingly influencing how people think, access services, and exercise their rights.
NITDA said technology has become deeply embedded in daily life, from banking and credit scoring to data collection and targeted digital content delivery.
The agency raised concerns that control over data and digital experiences is gradually shifting from consumers to service providers.
It also warned that artificial intelligence systems now play a major role in determining what users see online, how long they engage with content, and how opinions are shaped.
Speaking at a Consumer Protection Forum in Abuja, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, represented by Barrister Emmanuel Edet, said the digital economy now requires stronger safeguards for users.
He noted that many Nigerians interact with digital systems daily without fully understanding how their data is collected, stored, and shared.
The forum, themed “Strengthening Consumer Trust and Accountability in Nigeria’s Digital Economy: Leveraging AI and Digital Public Infrastructure,” focused on protecting citizens in an increasingly data-driven environment.
NITDA also raised concerns about data transfer practices, noting that some Nigerians’ data processed by global technology firms may be subject to foreign jurisdictions.
The agency stressed the need for clear regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency, data sovereignty, and stronger consumer autonomy in the digital space.
It added that it is engaging stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society to develop policies that balance innovation with consumer protection.
