Nigerian democracy needs positive utilisation of AI
by Test Sep 18, 2024
As the global community commemorates the 2024 International Day of Democracy, with the theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Good Governance’, the necessity for the Nigerian state to adopt the positive uses of AI in an evolving world and understand that it is not prepared to confront its fallouts is incontrovertible.
Since 2007, September 15 has been celebrated worldwide after it was established through a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the UN, the IDD provides “an opportunity to reinforce the importance of upholding free speech, civil liberties, and the rule of law; ensuring accountable institutions; and protecting and promoting human rights.”
Democracy is weak in most African countries, including Nigeria. In Nigeria, elections are compromised, with the judiciary, instead of the electorate, having the final say.
With a perceived absence of the dividends of democracy, Nigerians are turning their backs on it, as voter turnout crashed to 27 per cent in the February 2023 presidential polls.
Free speech is under threat. Under President Bola Tinubu, the police and security agents are hounding journalists for doing their work.
Protesters against bad governance and economic hardship are on trial for treason.
In the upcoming governorship poll in Edo, there are fears that the September 21 contest might not be free, fair, or credible.
After 25 years, the dream of a prosperous democracy has been shattered. Only the political class is benefiting from the democratic contraption.
In 2018, multilateral agencies said Nigeria, with 87 million citizens, had upstaged India as the global poverty capital.
In 2022, a joint study carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics with multilateral agencies indicated that 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty.
A year later, the World Bank added 7 million citizens to the 133 million figure after Tinubu cancelled petrol subsidies and merged the naira exchange rates.
In a year where more than 50 countries, representing half of the global population, are holding elections, the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence recently released a report “with recommendations on harnessing AI benefits while mitigating risks.”
In his message to commemorate this year’s observance, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, notes that AI has the potential to enhance public participation, equality, security, and human development but warns that if “left unchecked, its dangers could have serious implications for democracy, peace and stability.” This is true.
The Minister of Communication, Bosun Tijani, at a stakeholder meeting in Abuja on Monday, said the democratisation of AI would positively impact the growth and development of the country.
“Artificial Intelligence has always been with us; however, our focus is that we want it to drive prosperity in Nigeria. The policy to drive its adoption and deployment will be crafted to the benefit of all,” he said.
The Federal Ministry of Communications recently released the country’s National AI Strategy document, which is currently being reviewed by ministries, departments, and agencies.
It will be adopted as a national policy to guide all government efforts in AI.
A new study by the National Information Technology Development Agency indicated that the development and implementation of AI strategies can catalyse innovations and aid in the rebalancing of power structures in the country.
Another study published by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum found that prioritising inclusive and responsible AI practices will foster cross-sector collaborations and tackle existing country-specific challenges.
However, for all the laudable prospects that the adoption of AI holds for the Nigerian economy, its positive impacts on governance, electoral practices, and civil engagement have not been fully explored.
Part of the challenges are a stultifying lack of accountability in governance, weak institutions, overarching corruption, political godfatherism, absence of governing philosophy, and inadequate digital infrastructures.As the global community commemorates the 2024 International Day of Democracy, with the theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Good Governance’, the necessity for the Nigerian state to adopt the positive uses of AI in an evolving world and understand that it is not prepared to confront its fallouts is incontrovertible.
Since 2007, September 15 has been celebrated worldwide after it was established through a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the UN, the IDD provides “an opportunity to reinforce the importance of upholding free speech, civil liberties, and the rule of law; ensuring accountable institutions; and protecting and promoting human rights.”
Democracy is weak in most African countries, including Nigeria. In Nigeria, elections are compromised, with the judiciary, instead of the electorate, having the final say.
With a perceived absence of the dividends of democracy, Nigerians are turning their backs on it, as voter turnout crashed to 27 per cent in the February 2023 presidential polls.
Free speech is under threat. Under President Bola Tinubu, the police and security agents are hounding journalists for doing their work.
Protesters against bad governance and economic hardship are on trial for treason.
In the upcoming governorship poll in Edo, there are fears that the September 21 contest might not be free, fair, or credible.
After 25 years, the dream of a prosperous democracy has been shattered. Only the political class is benefiting from the democratic contraption.
In 2018, multilateral agencies said Nigeria, with 87 million citizens, had upstaged India as the global poverty capital.
In 2022, a joint study carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics with multilateral agencies indicated that 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty.
A year later, the World Bank added 7 million citizens to the 133 million figure after Tinubu cancelled petrol subsidies and merged the naira exchange rates.
In a year where more than 50 countries, representing half of the global population, are holding elections, the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence recently released a report “with recommendations on harnessing AI benefits while mitigating risks.”
In his message to commemorate this year’s observance, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, notes that AI has the potential to enhance public participation, equality, security, and human development but warns that if “left unchecked, its dangers could have serious implications for democracy, peace and stability.” This is true.
The Minister of Communication, Bosun Tijani, at a stakeholder meeting in Abuja on Monday, said the democratisation of AI would positively impact the growth and development of the country.
“Artificial Intelligence has always been with us; however, our focus is that we want it to drive prosperity in Nigeria. The policy to drive its adoption and deployment will be crafted to the benefit of all,” he said.
The Federal Ministry of Communications recently released the country’s National AI Strategy document, which is currently being reviewed by ministries, departments, and agencies.
It will be adopted as a national policy to guide all government efforts in AI.
A new study by the National Information Technology Development Agency indicated that the development and implementation of AI strategies can catalyse innovations and aid in the rebalancing of power structures in the country.
Another study published by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum found that prioritising inclusive and responsible AI practices will foster cross-sector collaborations and tackle existing country-specific challenges.
However, for all the laudable prospects that the adoption of AI holds for the Nigerian economy, its positive impacts on governance, electoral practices, and civil engagement have not been fully explored.
Part of the challenges are a stultifying lack of accountability in governance, weak institutions, overarching corruption, political godfatherism, absence of governing philosophy, and inadequate digital infrastructures.
