Religious leaders urge Nigerian government to establish AI regulatory guidelines

In a pressing call for action, the Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence (NRCAI) has urged the Federal Government to develop clear regulatory guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the emerging field of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The coalition warns that the unchecked advancement of these technologies could pose significant threats to humanity, culture, and spirituality.

The appeal came during a media interface held on Tuesday at the Wesley Pastoral Centre in Yaba, Lagos, attended by clerics from the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI). The event was organized by the CCN-Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, with support from the Future of Life Institute in the United States.

The coalition emphasized the importance of including religious leaders in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024, particularly under Pillar 4, which focuses on “Ensuring Responsible and Ethical AI Development.” Very Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, Director of the CCN-Institute of Church and Society, highlighted the potential dangers of formulating AI regulations without the input of religious figures, who play a crucial role in shaping societal moral and ethical values.

He pointed out that while the National AI Strategy proposes the creation of a High-Level AI Ethics Expert Group, religious leaders are notably absent from this initiative. The interface aimed to amplify the ethical concerns raised by the rapid development of AGI—an advanced form of AI capable of human-like understanding and learning.

Concerns were echoed by Archbishop Adegbemi Adewale of the Methodist Church Niger, who described AGI as an “existential threat.” He stressed the need for laws to safeguard children from the potential dangers of AI technologies.

National Treasurer of CCN, Elder Akaninyene Obot, expressed that the pursuit of AGI should not undermine Nigeria’s cultural and religious values. Similarly, CCN South-West Chairman Archbishop Jeremiah Okunlola called for responsible design in AI development to ensure it does not compromise belief in God.

Clerics raised various concerns about AI’s impact on society. Rev. Aloche from the Lagos Presbyterian Church warned of its detrimental effects on critical thinking and creativity among young people. Nneoma Mary Onyemara, Women Leader of the Methodist Church, highlighted AI’s negative influence on family relationships and social dynamics, while Archbishop Bankole Faburoso of the Church of the Lord Worldwide referred to AI as “a helpful servant and dangerous master,” emphasizing the need for human oversight guided by spiritual values.

Archbishop Christopher Ede of the Methodist Church in Enugu cautioned against excessive reliance on AGI, warning that it could lead to machines replacing human roles in vital areas of life. He stressed the necessity of ethical monitoring to prevent the exacerbation of inequality and security threats.

In closing, Bishop Evans Onyemara, General Secretary of CCN, reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to advocating for effective AI regulations and educating congregations about the benefits and risks associated with these technologies. He announced plans to engage the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to further discussions with the Federal Government on potential regulatory frameworks.

“We are all concerned about safeguarding the future of our children, and we shall continue to do our best to ensure that AI and AGI will not overtake them and their future,” he stated.