Ethical and Legal Considerations in the Deployment of AI for Data Protection Compliance in Nigeria

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a critical enabler of digital transformation across industries, particularly in regulatory and compliance environments. In Nigeria, the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2024 establishes a comprehensive framework for protecting citizens’ personal information and enforcing responsible data practices. However, the deployment of AI systems for data protection compliance introduces new ethical and legal complexities related to privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability. This paper examines these issues by analyzing the ethical dilemmas and legal implications associated with AI-driven data protection compliance in Nigeria. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the paper explores the alignment between AI governance principles and NDPA provisions. It emphasizes the need for explainable AI, algorithmic accountability, and human oversight to ensure lawful, fair, and transparent data processing. The study concludes that a balance between technological innovation and ethical responsibility is essential for fostering public trust and sustaining Nigeria’s data governance ecosystem.