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Zoho Nigeria Boss Explains How Nigerian Companies Lead Responsible Digital Transformation

Country head of Zoho Nigeria, Kehinde Ogundare, has explained how Nigerian companies are leading a more responsible digital transformation across the globe.

Artificial intelligence, he said, is everywhere–in polished social media posts, in the recommendations that guides viewing habits, and in the bots that handle customer queries before a human agent steps in.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act modelled on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, together with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission,, he stressed, adding that, it requires companies to build privacy into their systems from the outset rather than adding it later.

This clear regulatory framework has evolved in tandem with the rapid rise in AI adoption.

Meanwhile, new research from Zoho on responsible and n spotighlights the impact of the regulations. According to the report, 93% of Nigerian companies have already begun using AI in their daily operations. Following adoption, 84% have tightened their privacy controls, and 94% now have a dedicated privacy officer or team, which is significantly higher than the global average.

The survey, conducted by Arion Research LLC among 386 senior executives, reveals the profound impact of AI on Nigeria. One in four companies already uses it across several departments, and nearly a third report advanced integration. Financial services firms are pioneers in this sector, utilising AI to automate client interactions, streamline operations, and refine their marketing efforts, while maintaining compliance with data protection regulations.

The NDPA has helped make privacy part of business planning. Four in ten companies now spend more than 30 per cent of their IT budgets on privacy. Regular audits, privacy impact assessments and explainable checks are becoming standard practice.

As privacy becomes an integral part of how technology is developed, companies are becoming more cautious about the tools they use, seeking systems that protect customer data with clear boundaries between data and model training, straightforward controls, and reliable records for compliance teams.

Demand for business software that strikes a balance between productivity and privacy is also growing. Zoho, among others, has seen strong customer growth as more organisations seek platforms that support responsible data handling, he stressed.

Saying that the study identifies three main reasons behind AI adoption: to make work more efficient by automating routine tasks, to support better decision-making by identifying patterns sooner, and to improve customer engagement through faster, more relevant interactions, he added, “but none of this can succeed without trust. Nigeria’s experience shows that privacy and innovation can reinforce each other when they’re built together.

“There’s still work to do because some industries are moving faster than others, and smaller businesses often face the biggest hurdles in time, cost and skills. Enforcement is also patchy; while the law is clear, application across sectors and geographies is a work in progress.

“The following steps are more practical, requiring investment in skills – from data analysis and AI literacy to sector-specific training – and for governance to be put in place, with clear responsibilities, written policies, and a plan for managing errors or breaches. Privacy impact assessments should become part of every new system rollout, enabled by technology.

“As AI becomes fundamental to doing business, Nigerian companies that build it carefully and responsibly will be better able to compete at home and abroad.”