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The Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence (NRCAI) has called on the Federal and State Governments to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.
The coalition also warned against growing overdependence on the technology.
They made the call on Tuesday in Enugu during the training of journalists on Effective Reporting on Reducing AI Dependence in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Director, Christian Council of Nigeria–Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, noted that while AI presents significant opportunities, it also poses ethical and societal challenges.
This, he said, made it necessary for religious bodies and other stakeholders to be actively involved in its development and adoption.
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 the voices of religious leaders as ethical ambassadors within their communities.
He, however, 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 further warned that AI systems were shaped by the data and perspectives of their creators, noting that global technological competition—particularly between major powers—should not exclude Nigerian voices.
“We, as consumers, must have a say in what is being introduced into our society,” he added.
Fadahunsi also highlighted the need for inclusive AI governance, noting that the exclusion of religious groups could undermine efforts to develop ethical frameworks that promote tolerance and inclusiveness.
He said that national AI ethical principles should reflect Nigerian values such as humanity, inclusion, accountability, transparency, and responsible data governance.
Speaking from an Islamic perspective, the Chief Imam of Imo State, Yusuf Njoku, raised concerns about the unregulated use of AI, particularly on social media.
He noted that the misuse of AI tools to create fake videos and images could fuel tensions between religious groups.
The clergyman affirmed that Islam supported knowledge and technological advancement and emphasised 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.
He maintained that in Islamic belief, creation remained the exclusive domain of God, adding that no technological advancement can replicate the divine essence of human life.
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