Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Digital Security Governance in the Global South: Evidence from Nigeria and Implications for the International Order

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming digital security governance by changing how states detect, analyze, and respond to emerging security threats.This transformation has implications beyond national security, particularly for state capacity, digital sovereignty, regional cooperation, and the evolving international order.This study examines how AI is transforming digital security governance in Nigeria and assesses the implications for state capacity, digital sovereignty, regional security cooperation, and the international order.The study adopts a qualitative case study design based on documentary analysis of Nigerian government policies and institutional documents, regional frameworks, peer-reviewed literature, and relevant reports.Securitization Theory and Complex Interdependence Theory guide the analysis, while the study uses digital sovereignty as an analytical concept.Findings indicate that Nigeria is gradually incorporating AI into digital security governance through cybersecurity policies, emerging AI institutions, technological capacity-building initiatives, and the development of AI-related security applications.However, the transformation remains constrained by limitations in digital infrastructure, technical expertise, institutional capacity, regulatory implementation, and technological dependence.The study further finds that AI creates a dual dynamic for Nigeria: it offers opportunities to strengthen threat detection, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and other security capabilities, while dependence on external technologies and infrastructure may constrain digital sovereignty.Regional and international cooperation provides opportunities for Nigeria to strengthen its digital security capacity, but also reflects the complex interdependencies surrounding emerging technologies.The study concludes that AI is not merely a technological innovation but an emerging force reshaping digital security governance