The 6th Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS25), organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), was held at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano, from 22nd to 23rd October, 2025 with the theme “Toward a More Inclusive Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.
The Summit attracted over 1,200 participants including academics, ICT experts, policymakers, civil society actors, media practitioners, social influencers, government officials, youth and tech innovators from across Nigeria and beyond, including a large number of people with disabilities.
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Over two days, participants engaged in five plenary sessions, 14 breakout panels, and 31 scholarly presentations exploring the transformative role of AI in governance, democracy, and development. The plenary sessions addressed the following topics:
i. Striking a Balance Between Data Needs for AI Training and Privacy Protection
ii. Disinformation, Deepfake and AI: Their Implications for Media and Public
iii. AI, Social Influencing and Hidden Algorithm
iv. What Accountability Mechanisms Shall We Deploy for AI Governance?
v. Striking a Balance between Data Needs for AI Training and Privacy Protection.
vi. Ethical Consideration in the Deployment and Governance of AI
vii. What Accountability Mechanisms Shall We Deploy for AI Governance?
viii. Managing the trajectories of life after Secondary School In an AI-Era: Challenges and Opportunities for the Muslim Female Students in Northern Nigeria
ix. Can AI has Legal Personality: Challenges, Controversy and Contemplation.
Some of the breakdown panels focused on:
i. Empowering Civic Participation and E-Governance Through Inclusive AI
ii. Building Trustworthy AI: Countering Deepfakes, Synthetic Media, and Political Manipulation
iii. AI, Digital Rights, and Empowering the Nigerian Influencer Generation
iv. Her Voice in the Code: Centering Girls and Women in AI Governance
v. Of Minds and Machines: Building a Human-Centered Future for AI, Mental Health, and Civic Connection
vi. Artificial Intelligence for National Development: Building Capacity, Innovation, and Ethical Integration in Nigeria
vii. AI and Communication Access for the Deaf people
viii. AI Growth vs. Data Protection: Safeguarding Privacy in Nigeria’s Digital Era
Opening Session
The Summit was opened by Professor Amina Kaidal, Chairperson of CITAD’s Governing Board, who reaffirmed KANSIS as a hub for digital dialogue, innovation, and collaboration since 2019.
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His Royal Majesty, Chief (Engr.) C.O. Iromantu, Chair, CITAD’s Board of Trustees, described the theme as timely and urged participants to explore AI’s potential to enhance transparency and accountability in governance.
In his speech, the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Commissioner, Information and Internal Affairs commended CITAD for sustaining the Summit and pledged his administration’s support for digital innovation and ethical AI governance. He also formally declared the summit opened.
Goodwill messages were offered by the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji and Professor Abdurrashid Garba, Vice Chancellor, Khalifa Isyaku Rabi’u University (KHAIRUN)
Keynote presentations were delivered by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Striking a Balance Between Data Needs for AI Training and Privacy Protection and Malam Bala Mohammed of Bayero University, Kano on Disinformation, Deepfake and AI: Their Implications for Media and Public who both stressed the need for privacy protection, ethical data use, and countering disinformation and deepfakes in the age of AI.
Observation
After extensive deliberations, participants noted that:
1. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming global development, yet Africa contributes only about 5% of global AI research due to inadequate infrastructure, funding, and gender inclusion.
2. Nigeria’s AI adoption is expanding despite challenges such as poor ICT infrastructure, weak regulation, and unstable power supply.
3. Misuse of AI through disinformation, deepfakes, and misinformation poses grave threats to democracy and social cohesion.
4. AI-powered assistive technologies are empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), but high costs limit access.
5. There is an urgent need for public investment in research, innovation, and digital literacy to unlock AI’s full potential for inclusive growth.
6. A well-resourced and enabling environment is vital for maximizing AI’s potential to drive innovation, job creation, and inclusive development
7. Artificial Intelligence has become central to global development and is increasingly adopted in Africa, particularly among the youth
Resolutions and Recommendations
1. A multi-stakeholder platform, coordinated by CITAD, be established to engage government agencies on revising policy and legal frameworks guiding AI in Nigeria.
2. The government should increase investment in ICT infrastructure, human capital, and research to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global AI ecosystem.
3. There is an urgent need to enact and enforce data protection laws to curb unauthorized data mining and trading.
4. Stakeholders should promote AI awareness, ethics, and digital literacy among citizens to encourage responsible and inclusive AI use.
5. Tech companies and government should subsidize AI assistive technologies to ensure accessibility and affordability for all.
6. Donor organizations and partners should continue supporting CITAD and KANSIS for their vital roles in advancing digital literacy, youth engagement, and innovation in Nigeria.
7. The government should introduce coherent legal and ethical standards to ensure transparency and accountability in AI deployment.
Conclusion
Participants commended CITAD for sustaining the KANSIS platform as a space for inclusive dialogue, innovation, and digital empowerment. The 2025 Summit reaffirmed that AI must serve humanity—anchored on ethics, inclusivity, and accountability—to drive a just and democratic digital future for Nigeria. Participants thanked the authorities of KHAIRUN for providing the conducive environment for the forum
Signed:
Professor Amina Kaidal, University of Maiduguri
Professor Tunde Akanni, Lagos State University
Chief Nmezi Oguadinma, NSL Consulting Lagos
Isah Garba, Senior Programs Officer, CITAD