A Review of ethical and data privacy challenges in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Nigerian Academic Libraries

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping information ecosystems, yet its integration into Nigerian academic libraries presents significant ethical and data privacy concerns that remain underexplored. This comprehensive review synthesizes conceptual, empirical, and policy-oriented literature to examine how AI adoption intersects with issues of fairness, accountability, transparency, and user rights in Nigeria’s higher education environment. Findings reveal that while AI offers substantial opportunities to improve information access, library efficiency, and research productivity, its deployment is challenged by infrastructural constraints, limited digital literacy, evolving regulatory frameworks, and gaps in institutional capacity. Ethical risks such as algorithmic bias, opacity in automated decision-making, unclear accountability structures, and the erosion of user autonomy underscore the importance of context-sensitive governance. Data privacy vulnerabilities, particularly relating to extensive user data collection, cross-border storage, and compliance with national protection laws, further complicate safe adoption. The review highlights the absence of unified national guidelines for AI in education and calls for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, university administrations, and professional bodies to develop coherent governance systems. Prospects remain promising, particularly in areas of inclusive education, local AI innovation, and capacity-building among librarians. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks, privacy-by-design approaches, and robust institutional oversight to ensure that AI enhances library services while safeguarding user rights.

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