ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CYBER-SECURITY IN NIGERIA: COMMUNICATIVE STRATEGIES FOR RISK MITIGATION AND OPPORTUNITIES IN DIGITAL SECURITY

This study ascertained Communicating Governance and Cultural Integrity: The Role of Broadcast Media in Combating Corruption in Nigeria. The technological determinism theory of publics was anchored in this study. This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilizing email interviews to gather in-depth insights from cyber-security experts, AI professionals, policymakers, and digital security analysts in Nigeria. The population consisted of 250 cyber-security professionals and AI specialists working in government agencies, private cyber-security firms, financial institutions, and academic institutions. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a sample size of 30 participants. The primary method of data collection involved semi-structured email interviews. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis, where emerging themes related to AI applications, risk mitigation strategies, ethical concerns, policy frameworks, and communicative strategies in cyber-security were identified and categorized. Findings revealed that artificial intelligence significantly enhances cyber-security in Nigeria by enabling real-time threat detection, predictive analytics, and automated incident response, thereby improving digital security resilience. However, challenges such as limited AI expertise, inadequate cyber-security datasets, and high implementation costs hinder the full adoption of AI-driven security solutions, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study concluded that AI plays a crucial role in enhancing cyber-security in Nigeria by enabling real-time threat detection, predictive analytics, and automated response systems, thereby improving digital security resilience. The study recommended that Nigerian organizations should invest in AI-driven cyber-security systems and prioritize continuous training for cyber-security professionals to enhance their ability to manage emerging threats and improve overall security resilience