This study examines the perception of legal professionals on the governance of AI in developing countries, using Nigeria as a case study. The study focused on ethical risks, regulatory gaps, and institutional readiness. The study adopted a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through 27 semi-structured interviews with legal practitioners in Nigeria. A focus group discussion was also held with seven additional legal practitioners across sectors such as finance, insurance, and corporate law. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key patterns in participant responses. Findings showed that there were concerns about data privacy risks and the lack of enforceable legal frameworks. Participants expressed limited confidence in institutional capacity and emphasized the need for locally adapted governance models rather than direct adoption of foreign frameworks. While some expressed optimism about AI's potential, this was conditional on the presence of strong legal oversight and public accountability. The study contributes to the growing discourse on AI governance in developing countries by focusing on the perspectives of legal professionals. It highlights the importance of regulatory approaches that are context-specific, inclusive, and capable of bridging the gap between global ethical principles and local realities. These insights offer practical guidance for policymakers, regulators, and scholars working to shape responsible AI governance in similar environments.

翻译：本研究以尼日利亚为案例，考察法律从业者对发展中国家人工智能治理的认知。研究聚焦于伦理风险、监管漏洞和机构准备程度三个维度。采用定性案例研究设计，通过27次半结构化访谈收集尼日利亚法律从业者的数据，并在金融、保险及公司法等跨领域举行含七名法律从业者的焦点小组讨论。通过主题分析法识别受访者应答中的关键模式。研究发现，受访者普遍担忧数据隐私风险及可执行法律框架的缺失。参与者对机构能力信心有限，强调应采用本地化治理模型而非直接移植国外框架。部分受访者对人工智能潜力持谨慎乐观态度，但前提是具备强有力的法律监管与公共问责机制。本研究通过聚焦法律从业者视角，为发展中国家人工智能治理的持续讨论做出贡献，强调需制定情境化、包容性且能弥合全球伦理原则与本土现实差距的监管路径。这些发现为致力于塑造负责任人工智能治理的政策制定者、监管机构和学者提供实践指导。