AI Must Be Built on Trust, Privacy and Security — NDPC Boss

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has called for stronger safeguards around Artificial Intelligence development, stressing that trust, privacy, security and accountability must be built into AI systems from the beginning.

Olatunji made the call while reflecting on discussions at the AI Everything Abu Dhabi 2026, held at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The NDPC boss participated in the event alongside the Commission’s Head of Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Mr Olorunisomo Isola.

According to Olatunji, the rapid advancement of AI is changing the way governments, businesses and societies operate, creating significant opportunities for countries such as Nigeria.

He, however, said the benefits of the technology must be matched with responsible governance to ensure that AI develops in a manner that is secure, accountable and capable of earning public confidence.

Olatunji said discussions around Abu Dhabi’s AI vision and sovereign AI capabilities were particularly instructive, especially as countries seek greater control over their artificial intelligence infrastructure, data and technological capabilities.

He noted that increased technological independence should go hand in hand with strong governance frameworks capable of protecting fundamental rights and strengthening public confidence in emerging technologies.

The NDPC chief identified trust as one of the recurring themes at the summit, noting that the increasing autonomy of AI systems raises important questions about reliability, accountability, transparency and security.

He also stressed the need to protect vulnerable users as AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday activities and institutional decision-making.

According to him, these safeguards should not be introduced only after AI systems have been deployed.

“Trust, privacy and security must be designed into AI systems from the outset,” Olatunji said.

He further highlighted the evolution of AI from conventional chatbots to secure, enterprise-grade AI agents capable of interacting with organisational systems, workflows and institutional knowledge.

Olatunji said the emergence of agentic AI presents significant opportunities for improving productivity and transforming public-sector operations.

However, he noted that the technology also introduces new concerns relating to oversight, accountability, cybersecurity and the responsible use of data.

He said these emerging challenges make it increasingly important for organisations and governments to consider governance and data protection alongside technological innovation.