The Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence urges authorities to regulate AI use, warning that growing dependence could erode analytical thinking and fuel misuse.
The Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence has urged federal and state governments to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country, warning against growing dependence on the technology.
The coalition made the call on Tuesday in Enugu during a training for journalists on effective reporting aimed at reducing AI dependence in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Director of the Christian Council of Nigeria–Institute of Church and Society, Kolade Fadahunsi, said while AI presents significant opportunities, it also raises ethical and societal concerns.
He stressed the need for religious bodies and other stakeholders to be actively involved in the development and adoption of AI technologies.
According to him, the coalition seeks collaboration with media leaders to strengthen Nigeria’s AI policy framework, promote faith-based AI education aligned with moral principles, and amplify religious leaders as ethical ambassadors.
Fadahunsi expressed concern that increasing reliance on AI could erode analytical thinking and originality.
“Analytical thinking is gradually being eroded, and responses are becoming uniform as people rely more on AI,” he said.
He also warned that AI systems are shaped by the data and perspectives of their creators, stressing that global technological competition should not exclude Nigerian voices.
“We, as consumers, must have a say in what is being introduced into our society,” he added.
Fadahunsi further highlighted the need for inclusive AI governance, noting that excluding religious groups could undermine efforts to build ethical frameworks that promote tolerance and inclusiveness.
He said national AI principles should reflect Nigerian values such as humanity, inclusion, accountability, transparency and responsible data governance.
Also speaking, Chief Imam of Imo State, Yusuf Njoku, raised concerns over unregulated use of AI, particularly on social media.
Njoku warned that misuse of AI tools to create fake videos and images could heighten tensions among religious groups.
He, however, noted that Islam supports knowledge and technological advancement, while emphasising the need for proper regulation to prevent misuse.
“As AI grows more complex and begins to influence human behaviour and identity, we must ask whether it serves humanity or seeks to compete with divine creation,” he said.
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