ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA: A SOCIO-TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS

Abstract

This study critically examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria's
security architecture through a socio-technical lens, analysing the nexus between technological
opportunities, institutional constraints, and governance challenges. Rather than providing a broad
overview, this research demonstrates that effective AI adoption requires integrating technological
systems with strong institutions, ethical frameworks, and human capacity development, rather than
relying on technology deployment alone. Using secondary data sources, including peer-reviewed
journals (2021–2026), policy documents, government publications, and international reports, the
study employs qualitative content analysis to examine Nigeria's current AI-security landscape.
Findings reveal that while AI tools such as facial recognition, predictive policing, and cyber defence
systems offer significant potential, Nigeria's adoption remains constrained by poor digital
infrastructure, inadequate policy frameworks, and weak institutional capacity. The study concludes
that successful AI integration requires a holistic approach that combines technological investment
with governance reforms, capacity building, and ethical safeguards. The research contributes to
existing scholarship by moving beyond techno-optimism to examine how failures of socio-technical
systems explain Nigeria's lagging AI adoption in security despite the urgent need.