Khadija Sabiu Nafada
Chapter Lead
Leads chapter strategy, partnerships, and public-facing growth for PauseAI Nigeria while coordinating local organizing and chapter alignment.
About PauseAI Nigeria
PauseAI Nigeria was founded by organizers, researchers, and technology professionals who recognized a critical gap: frontier AI is being developed faster than safety can be guaranteed or democratic institutions can respond. We formed this chapter because Nigeria must not be sidelined in decisions that affect humanity's AI future.
As the first PauseAI chapter in West Africa, we contribute to a global movement calling for a temporary pause on training the most powerful AI systems until robust safety guarantees and meaningful democratic oversight are in place.
Our mission is to:
- Build public awareness of AI risks and why democratic control matters
- Inform policy discourse through evidence-based research and expert voices
- Engage policymakers to ensure Nigeria participates in international AI governance
- Mobilize civic action—protests, campaigns, and direct advocacy—to shift political will
- Engage students and youth as future leaders and technologists who will inherit these systems
This is not anti-technology. It is pro-democracy. We believe Nigeria can lead on AI safety while remaining an innovation hub. Responsible governance comes first; progress follows.
Founding Team
Habeeb Abdulfatah
Policy Lead
Leads policy research, briefing development, and government engagement to advance practical AI safety governance.
Adebayo Mubarak
Event Coordinator
Plans and coordinates chapter events, volunteer logistics, and public gatherings that help turn awareness into action.
Sa'ad Nasir Bashir
Policy Lead
Supports policy analysis, institutional outreach, and drafting clear materials that connect AI safety to Nigerian public interest.
Khalid Sabiu Nafada
Technical Lead
Oversees website development and maintenance, system upkeep, and technical support to ensure a reliable digital presence for PauseAI Nigeria.
Our Approach
We operate with five core strategies, grounded in the broader PauseAI Global theory of change:
- Grow the Movement: Build a national volunteer base through online organizing, accessible ways to take action, and transparent communication.
- Inform Public Discourse: Publish educational content, appear in media, host events, and partner with academics and civil society to shift the conversation.
- Engage Policymakers: Direct lobbying, policy briefs, and meetings with legislators and regulators to raise AI safety to decision-making priority.
- Organize Civic Action: Coordinate protests, campaigns, and public pressure to shift political will and media attention.
- Mobilize Youth: Host university debates, engage students as future leaders, and build a pipeline of informed AI safety advocates.
For full context, see the PauseAI Global Theory of Change.
Press and Media
For interviews and statements, contact nigeria@pauseai.info.
Response target: within 48 hours.