Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Nigerian Contract Law: Emerging Challenges

Artificial intelligence systems are increasingly being deployed in Nigerian businesses to facilitate contract formation, performance monitoring, and dispute management, yet the existing legal framework for contract law provides inadequate guidance on the status of AI-generated agreements and AI-assisted decision-making in contractual relationships. This research explores the legal implications of artificial intelligence for Nigerian contract law, examining questions of offer, acceptance, consideration, and contractual capacity where AI agents are involved. A doctrinal methodology was employed, drawing on Nigerian contract law statutes, judicial precedents, and comparative analysis of legal developments in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Kenya. Secondary sources include technology law journals, NITDA policy documents, and academic literature from 2020 to 2024. The study examines specific scenarios including AI-generated procurement contracts in Lagos-based fintech firms, AI-assisted loan agreements in the banking sector, and automated dispute resolution in e-commerce platforms. Findings reveal that current contract law concepts presuppose human agency in ways that are increasingly ill-fitted to AI-mediated transactions. The research identifies particular challenges around establishing legal personality for AI systems, allocating liability for AI errors, and ensuring consumer consent in automated contracting environments. Recommendations include developing technology-specific contract law guidelines through NITDA, judicial capacity building on AI-related contractual disputes, and legislative amendments to accommodate AI agency in commercial transactions. Keywords: artificial intelligence, contract law, legal personality, Nigeria, emerging technology.