Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding women and girls from harmful traditional practices, with a renewed focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate the fight against female genital mutilation,FGM.
This pledge was made by the Chargé d’Affaires of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Mr. Syndoph Endoni, at a High-level Event on Smart Solutions for a Safer Future Using Artificial Intelligence to End Female Genital Mutilation held at the UN headquarters in New York.
Addressing delegates, Endoni stressed that Nigeria remains dedicated to advancing “innovative, ethical and people-centred technologies” that strengthen social justice and promote global development. He described FGM as a critical concern embedded in Nigeria’s regional, national and international development priorities.
He said the dialogue on ending FGM through technology-based approaches signals a united global effort, bringing together experts, innovators and advocates committed to protecting the health, dignity and rights of women and girls.
Endoni highlighted that despite years of advocacy, legislation and awareness campaigns, FGM continues in many communities, driven largely by entrenched cultural norms, misinformation, and weak reporting structures.
He noted that while Nigeria has expanded community sensitisation and strengthened national laws, the persistence of the practice shows that traditional interventions alone cannot address the scale of the challenge.
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The envoy emphasised that artificial intelligence presents “enormous potential” in the fight against FGM. He cited its capacity to identify high-risk communities, provide confidential reporting channels, support real-time data collection, monitor policies, and guide evidence-based decisions.
Digital tools, he added, also broaden access to accurate information that empowers women and girls to understand their rights and health.
He stated that integrating AI-driven solutions into global protection systems would help strengthen early-warning mechanisms, enhance accountability, and speed up progress toward eliminating FGM across affected regions.
However, Endoni cautioned that technology on its own cannot end the practice. He underscored the need for coordinated partnerships between governments, development organisations, civil society groups, traditional and religious institutions, and the communities where FGM is still practised.
He urged stakeholders to “think boldly” and work collectively toward building a world where every girl is protected, valued, and empowered to thrive.
NAN
