Optasia pushes responsible AI in Nigeria as privacy takes centre stage at National Privacy Week 2026

Responsible AI in Nigeria moved closer to the regulatory and commercial mainstream this week as Optasia took a visible role at the country’s National Privacy Week 2026, signalling how fintech companies may be expected to build, deploy and govern data-driven systems.

The event, held at the Transcorp Centre in Abuja, positioned privacy not as a compliance afterthought but as core digital infrastructure.

For Optasia, an AI-driven fintech platform operating through licensed financial institutions, the week was an opportunity to demonstrate how privacy by design and responsible innovation are being operationalised in live financial systems.

National Privacy Week 2026 was convened under the framework of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), with regulators, banks and technology companies assessing how emerging technologies are reshaping trust, ethics and accountability across Nigeria’s digital economy.

Speaking at the opening of the programme, Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), stressed that privacy is a constitutional right and an economic enabler. 

He stressed that, “Privacy is not an isolated privilege; it is a fundamental right guaranteed by our Constitution. By building trust, we unlock the full potential of our digital economy and protect every Nigerian’s digital identity.”

That framing set the context for Optasia’s engagement. The company’s leadership positioned responsible AI not as a future ambition but as a present operational requirement, particularly in markets where digital financial inclusion depends heavily on data-driven decision-making.

Optasia operates AI-powered financial services in multiple regulated markets and delivers its products exclusively through licensed financial institutions and approved distribution partners. According to the company, this structure allows it to embed governance, accountability and data protection directly into its systems rather than relying on informal or unregulated channels.

Uchenna Agbo, Optasia’s Chief Commercial Officer, warned, “As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, the data that powers innovation and inclusion must be protected with the same seriousness as financial capital. For Optasia, compliance, ethical data use, and respect for consumer privacy are foundational to building long-term confidence across the digital ecosystem.”

She argued that consumer confidence in digital services depends on how personal information is collected, processed and protected, especially for first-time users entering the formal financial system.

From Optasia’s perspective, responsible AI in Nigeria requires restraint as much as innovation. The company emphasised that data-driven growth does not require intrusive data practices, but it does demand clarity on purpose limitation, consent and security.

Optasia, other stakeholders call for responsible AI in Nigeria

The most pointed discussions took place during high-level panel sessions, where Optasia executives joined representatives from GTBank, Microsoft and Stanbic IBTC to examine how trust can be built into emerging technologies.

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Antoine Chatzistamatiou spoke on embedding privacy and ethics into system architecture, noting that design choices made early in development often determine whether AI systems remain compliant as they scale.

Chief Data & Risk Officer Stelios Lelis also contributed to a session titled “Innovation without Intrusion: Balancing data-driven growth with privacy as a fundamental right”, alongside senior leadership from Microsoft and Stanbic IBTC.

Optasia also highlighted its SOC 2 Type II certification as evidence of adherence to internationally recognised standards for security, confidentiality and privacy. While certifications alone do not guarantee ethical outcomes, they increasingly serve as baseline expectations for companies operating in tightly regulated financial environments.

The company outlined four priorities guiding its Nigeria engagement: privacy by design, responsible use of AI, innovation without intrusive data practices, and stronger collaboration across the licensed ecosystem.

As Nigeria’s fintech sector continues to grow rapidly, driven by mobile penetration, digital payments and alternative credit models, regulators are under pressure to ensure that innovation does not outpace consumer protection. The National Privacy Week 2026 underscores a shift in that tone.

Also read: An expected smartphone price hike will slow down 5G adoption in Nigeria

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