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Nigeria tops Africa in 2026 Global Responsible AI Index, climbs 42 places worldwide – Technology Times
Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), climbing 42 places in two years to underscore the country’s growing ambition to become a continental leader in artificial intelligence (AI) governance, digital skills development and responsible AI adoption.
The latest edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI, published by the Global Center on AI Governance (GCG), ranks Nigeria 38th globally with an overall score of 45.93, making it the highest-performing African country ahead of Egypt.
The result marks a dramatic improvement from the inaugural 2024 edition, when Nigeria ranked 80th globally with a score of 7.21, reflecting significant progress in the country’s AI policy, governance and institutional capacity.
For Nigeria, the latest ranking signals growing international recognition of efforts to build a responsible AI ecosystem and positions the country not only as a consumer of AI technologies but also as an emerging contributor to global AI governance.
The latest edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI, published by the Global Center on AI Governance (GCG), ranks Nigeria 38th globally with an overall score of 45.93, making it the highest-performing African country ahead of Egypt. The result marks a dramatic improvement from the inaugural 2024 edition, when Nigeria ranked 80th globally with a score of 7.21, reflecting significant progress in the country’s AI policy, governance and institutional capacity.
Index measures responsible AI governance across 135 countries
The GIRAI is regarded as one of the world’s most comprehensive evidence-based assessments of responsible AI governance.
The 2026 edition evaluates 135 countries and jurisdictions using more than 68,000 data points across five pillars:
The index also assesses government policies, public-sector initiatives and civil society efforts aimed at ensuring AI is developed and deployed responsibly.
Nigeria recognised as global AI ‘Bright Spot’
Beyond its overall ranking, the report identifies Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for combining AI skills development with safeguards designed to protect children and other vulnerable groups from the risks associated with emerging technologies.
According to the report, Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy places strong emphasis on expanding AI literacy across all stakeholder groups while promoting a comprehensive national AI skills development programme that includes teacher training and broad-based capacity building.
Commenting on the ranking, Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the recognition as validation of Nigeria’s deliberate strategy to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible and aligned with national development priorities.
“We believe that Africa must not only participate in the AI revolution but also contribute meaningfully to shaping how these technologies are governed and deployed globally. Our focus remains on creating the infrastructure, talent and policy environment that will enable AI to deliver real value for our people,” Tijani said.
Government initiatives drive AI progress
Nigeria’s improved standing reflects the Federal Government’s efforts to establish governance frameworks for emerging technologies through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy while expanding digital infrastructure and AI capacity-building initiatives.
Among the initiatives highlighted in the report are:
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The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, which provides AI and machine learning training through a hybrid learning model designed to reach young Nigerians nationwide.
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The Nigeria Data Protection Act, which establishes legal safeguards for personal data.
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The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which provides the country’s roadmap for AI development and governance.
The report also commended Nigeria’s regulatory framework for children’s data protection, citing both the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 for strengthening safeguards around children’s personal data and restricting decisions based solely on automated processing.
Global AI governance gains momentum
The latest recognition builds on Nigeria’s broader efforts to position itself as a leading AI policy player in Africa through investments in AI infrastructure, research, talent development, responsible governance and international collaboration.
The 2026 GIRAI was released in Geneva alongside the AI for Good Summit and the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, where governments, technology companies and international organisations examined frameworks for ensuring AI is developed safely, ethically and inclusively.
The release comes amid growing international attention on balancing rapid AI innovation with effective governance.
Speaking at the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned that AI is advancing faster than regulatory frameworks and called for stronger global safeguards, particularly to protect children, while urging governments to establish governance systems capable of keeping pace with technological change.
Nigeria has also recorded gains in other international AI benchmarks. Earlier this year, the country climbed 31 places in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, rising from 103rd to 72nd globally, reflecting continued improvements in AI policy readiness, institutional capacity and digital governance.
The latest GIRAI ranking reinforces Nigeria’s growing profile as one of Africa’s leading voices on responsible AI, highlighting the country’s increasing influence in shaping policies that support the safe, inclusive and ethical development of artificial intelligence.
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The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man, Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, over a viral video allegedly showing him calling for the use of AK-47 rifles to kill Christians in Enugu and Plateau states.
Politics Nigeria reports that the suspect, a native of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was arrested for investigation after the video circulated on social media and sparked concerns over religiously motivated violence.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ani Iniedu, said the Zamfara State Police Command had activated its intelligence resources to identify those involved in the incident.
The police also confirmed that the command had engaged the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) at the national and state levels following the emergence of the video.
According to the police, the organisation disassociated itself from the alleged conduct and handed the suspect over to the authorities for investigation.
The video reportedly showed the suspect wearing JIBWIS uniform and appearing alongside pupils from two Islamic schools in Maradun: Nurul Islam Islamiya and Akidatul Sahiha Islamiya.
Preliminary findings by the Zamfara State Police Command indicated that the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, while the suspect was reportedly on his way to Aliyu Ibn Abi Thalib Mosque, where he and others allegedly provided security during Friday prayers and preaching.
The suspect was born on September 15, 2004. He reportedly attended Mualledi Model Primary School and Government Day Secondary School, both in Maradun.
He also reportedly joined JIBWIS in 2025 and recently gained admission to study Mass Communication at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.
The police said a comprehensive investigation had commenced and that the suspect would be charged before a competent court if sufficient evidence established an offence under applicable law.
Earlier, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Bello, said the investigation would consider allegations of incitement to violence, disturbance of public peace and criminal intimidation under Sections 77, 78 and 380(b) of the Penal Code Law applicable in the state, subject to the evidence gathered and applicable law.
The police also condemned statements capable of promoting religious hatred, threatening community safety or undermining peaceful coexistence.
“The Zamfara State Police Command remains resolute in its duty to uphold the law, protect lives and property, defend the rights of all citizens without discrimination, and work with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security throughout Zamfara State,” the commissioner said.
The development comes as JIBWIS has publicly distanced itself from the video and condemned calls for violence against non-Muslims.
The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Ashiru, stated this in a statement issued at its headquarters in Jos on Tuesday.
Ashiru said the organisation had yet to establish the authenticity of the video but maintained that its position against violence was clear.
“We are yet to confirm whether the video is authentic, but our position against violence remains clear,” he said.
He added that JIBWIS, under the leadership of Ash-Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, would not support calls to attack or kill anyone because of their religious affiliation.
Ashiru said banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and Boko Haram attacks were already affecting communities across the country, warning that statements promoting violence could heighten tensions and threaten peaceful coexistence.
“We would not support any call capable of disturbing the peace of Nigeria, as such comments are capable of inciting violence and creating unnecessary tension among Nigerians,” he said.
The JIBWIS spokesperson stressed that anyone making such statements in the organisation’s name did not represent its position.
He urged security agencies to investigate the video, establish its authenticity and identify those responsible, adding that anyone found culpable should face the law after a proper investigation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid circulating unverified information and refrain from sharing the video in ways that could escalate religious tensions.
The Force reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliation and taking lawful action against conduct capable of inciting hatred or threatening public peace.
Senator Victor Umeh has accused Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of acting out of envy and hatred towards presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi.
Umeh claimed that Soludo was trying to surpass Obi's political record, insisting that the former Anambra governor remained more popular than his successor in the state and across Nigeria.
The senator made the remarks on Tuesday while fielding questions on Channels Television's Politics Today programme.
Umeh, who said he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, alongside Obi and Soludo between 1980 and 1984, suggested that their shared academic background might have contributed to what he described as peer envy.
He said, “He (Peter Obi) cannot be drawn to what is called the peer envy and hate. You know, all of us were in the university together. Myself, Soludo, Peter Obi. We were at the University of Nigeria from 1980 to 1984, all of us graduated the same day.
“So sometimes when you see people talk, they talk out of maybe peer envy. He (Soludo) is running after Peter Obi's record.”
The senator further argued that Obi remained more popular than Soludo despite the latter's position as governor of Anambra State.
“Whether he likes it or not, today, no matter what Soludo does, Peter Obi will continue to be more popular than him, both in Nigeria and in Anambra State. Go there and see,” Umeh added.
Obi served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014. Soludo became governor in 2022.
‘Envy, hate behind Soludo’s attacks on Peter Obi’ – Senator Umeh
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