AfriPulse
In the United States, surveys show that about 36% of employees say their employer has a formal AI policy governing AI use.
In Europe, roughly 31% of organisations report having a comprehensive AI policy. Less than 20–25% of medium-to-large Nigerian organisations have a formal, documented AI policy.
Globally, studies indicate that over 45% of organisations have no AI policy at all, while the remainder are either drafting one or relying on informal guidelines.
You don’t engage NTA without clearance
NTA network news engages you to give a view about the current development in your sector. You get excited about this; however, you can’t respond immediately. You need to get clearance from corporate communications; you can’t just grant information or an interview to the interviewer or programme. You are aware that your job may be at stake if you express an opinion that is contrary to the corporate position or a statement that may “rock the boat”.
Media policy is never crowdsourced
Most organisations do have a media policy. Whether you are in Abia, Cross River, Taraba or Borno State, your company, as long as it’s a relatively big entity, will have a media policy.
In reality, you don’t go on a radio station or TV station like NTA or a private one to share an opinion without getting clearance from the communications department. This is standard practice everywhere in the world, not just in Nigeria.
If you say the wrong thing during a media interview, contrary to the corporate position, you can potentially remedy this. There are multiple options, as opposed to AI.
The policy about engaging with the media comes clearly from one source, not crowdsourced.
Data privacy is no longer optional
Years ago and until recently, Nigerians felt that our data didn’t matter. Most felt our data could be used by the large companies. That was actually the case for a while.
Recently, the narrative has been changing gradually. The Nigerian Data Protection Commission has been slamming heavy fines on some entities in banking, entertainment and social media (a global brand).
The fines referenced above are fines that may or may not move the brands financially, given the size of their turnover. Imagine a fine of $32.8 million! Even a 10% fine of this amount, what will this do to your brand?
Bottom line
AI adoption has far outpaced governance. Most organisations are using AI without clear rules, exposing themselves to data, compliance, litigation, and reputational risks.
Given that most organisations will have a media policy and will also have a data protection officer as well as a data privacy policy, it is quite mind-boggling that quite a lot of organisations don’t have an AI policy!
In light of this, you need to attend the upcoming InnovateAI 2026: Responsible AI, Beyond Innovation, where the regulators, policymakers and global experts will guide and speak on this. Attendance will earn attendees a CPD-eligible certificate.
Dotun Adeoye is a technology entrepreneur, AI governance leader, and co-founder of AI in Nigeria. He has over 30 years of global experience across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa and advises organisations on AI transformation, governance, and digital growth.
Source: Businessday.ng | Read the Full Story…
