AI Adoption Outpaces Governance as NCC Survey Exposes Policy Gaps Among Internet Operators

Nigeria’s growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is outpacing the development of internal policies and oversight mechanisms needed to govern its use, a survey by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed.

The survey found that 73 per cent of respondents were using or piloting AI, but only 39 per cent had an approved AI policy, while just 34 per cent applied human oversight to their AI activities.

The findings highlight a growing governance challenge as businesses and institutions increasingly deploy AI tools without corresponding internal frameworks to manage risks, ensure accountability and protect users.

The results were presented at the NCC Internet Governance Symposium 2026, where the commission also disclosed that only two of 19 licensees surveyed were fully ready to implement the 2026 Internet Code of Practice (ICOP).

Nine licensees reported partial readiness, while five said they were not prepared. The figures disclosed accounted for 16 of the 19 licensees surveyed.

Cybersecurity obligations and AI-related provisions emerged as some of the most difficult areas for licensees, with respondents seeking clearer implementation guidelines, reporting templates and practical support from the regulator.

The survey received 47 responses from stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society, including seven mobile network operators, five internet service providers and 12 academic institutions.

The findings suggest that the challenge facing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem extends beyond technology adoption to institutional preparedness, regulatory compliance and the capacity to manage emerging risks.

Consumer transparency also emerged as a major concern in the use of AI systems.

About 94 per cent of respondents said consumers should be informed when interacting with AI, indicating strong support for disclosure requirements as automated systems become more common in digital services.

However, respondents differed on how such transparency should be enforced. Forty per cent preferred periodic reporting over notification before deployment.

The distinction raises questions about how regulators can balance compliance requirements with operational flexibility while ensuring users understand when AI systems are involved in decisions or interactions that affect them.

AI governance was among the leading internet governance priorities identified for Nigeria in 2026 and 2027, alongside cybersecurity, online safety and child protection, data protection, and cross-border data flows.

These priorities reflect the interconnected risks associated with an increasingly digital economy, where AI applications, online platforms and electronic transactions depend on secure systems and responsible data management.

The NCC’s Head of Internet Governance, Dr. Ibiso Kingsley George, who presented the survey, also highlighted limited stakeholder participation in internet governance processes.

About 53 per cent of respondents said they had participated in the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum, while 40 per cent had not attended any internet governance event. Five organisations reported no engagement.

The commission identified inadequate awareness, the absence of internal mandates and perceptions that internet governance was unrelated to business operations as barriers to participation. The survey also found that 34 per cent of respondents were unfamiliar with the permanent mandate of the Internet Governance Forum.

To address the gaps, the NCC formally launched its Internet Governance Working Group, which is expected to provide a continuing platform for collaboration among industry players, government institutions, academia and civil society.

Speaking at the event, the commission’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the growing influence of AI required coordinated responses across different sectors.

He identified harmful content, fraud, privacy, accountability and the protection of children and other vulnerable users as issues requiring collective attention.

“These questions cannot be answered by one institution alone. The answer requires informed dialogue and cooperation across the communication sector and beyond it,” Oshadami said.

The NCC said it would publish implementation guidelines and frequently asked questions on the Internet Code of Practice, alongside workshops to support licensees that are not adequately prepared.

The working group is also expected to address participation gaps and strengthen engagement on emerging internet governance issues.

For Nigeria’s digital economy, the survey points to a widening gap between the pace of AI adoption and the institutional safeguards required to manage its consequences.

As businesses integrate AI into their operations, the effectiveness of internal policies, human oversight, consumer disclosure and regulatory guidance will become increasingly important in determining whether adoption translates into trusted and responsible digital services.