By Ade Iyamoye
A coalition of major religious bodies in Nigeria has called for the urgent involvement of religious leaders in shaping national policies and regulations around Artificial Intelligence.
The Nigerian Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence made this call during a press briefing in Kaduna, stressing that AI, if left unchecked, could quietly disrupt faith, values, and human dignity.
Professor Khalid Aliyu, Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said the move is backed by the Future of Life Institute, the Christian Council of Nigeria, and JNI.
Aliyu warned that while AI holds immense potential for development in agriculture, health, and education, it must be guided by strong ethical and religious values to prevent harm.
“We should not allow AI to become a new idol, or a tool that misleads congregations,” he said. “Religious leaders must be equipped to understand and guide AI’s application in ways that protect human agency and uphold moral values.”
He urged the federal government to include religious stakeholders in developing a responsible AI framework for Nigeria’s cyberspace and governance.
The coalition believes that churches and mosques can play a vital role in public enlightenment and ethical guidance as Nigeria embraces artificial intelligence.
