Nigeria is adopting AI-driven initiatives across its public sector, aiming to enhance transparency, citizen engagement, and service delivery through innovative digital platforms and strategic programmes, with a focus on responsible implementation and resilience.
Nigeria is moving to embed artificial intelligence across its public service in a push officials say will improve efficiency, transparency and citizen engagement,according to a report by GuardianNigeria. The initiative, described by data scientist Temilorun in a telephone interview, frames AI as a practical response to rising public expectations, rapid population growth and constrained resources that require “smarter approaches to governance.” [1]
Temilorun outlined immediate applications that include intelligent digital reporting platforms enabling citizens to report damaged infrastructure, waste management problems, traffic concerns or public‑safety incidents via mobile phones. He said these platforms would “use AI to automatically classify complaints, identify locations through geotagging or image recognition, prioritise urgent cases, and route them to the appropriate government agencies,thereby reducing delays and improving oversight.” He added that “Such systems reduce human bottlenecks and make it easier to track how complaints are handled. This helps build trust between citizens and government.” He also highlighted chatbots for routine public enquiries and AI analytics to detect fraud, improve tax administration and sharpen social‑welfare targeting. [1]
The federal government has already begun translating these ambitions into concrete projects. At the Global Government Summit 2025 in Singapore Nigeria unveiled “Service‑Wise GPT”, an AI‑powered tool presented by Mrs Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and accompanied the launch with a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy produced by the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy,according to an official post by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The government framed the strategy as seeking to harness AI for economic growth while promoting responsible and inclusive governance approaches. [3][5][6][7]
Capacity building and early deployment steps are under way domestically. In December 2025 the Bureau of Public Service Reforms ran a five‑day training programme in Gombe State for reform directors from Ministries,Departments and Agencies and for local government chairmen,with the Director‑General Dasuki Arabi stressing AI’s role in modernising public service and aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda. Earlier, in May 2025 the federal government announced plans to deploy AI, machine learning,blockchain and robotic process automation across MDAs and said it was working with the Nigerian Communications Commission to integrate distributed ledger technologies to secure sensitive data and simplify routine tasks. [2][4]
Temilorun warned that the promise of AI depends on deliberate planning and investment,stressing needs the report summarises as digital infrastructure,robust data‑protection frameworks,cybersecurity and capacity building for civil servants. He stressed that “AI is not a replacement for human judgment in governance,but a powerful tool that can strengthen Nigeria’s public service if properly harnessed.” [1]
Proponents point to international examples as proof of concept but stress adaptation is vital. Speaking to GuardianNigeria Temilorun cited Singapore’s Smart City Initiative, the UK’s NHS chatbot,Estonia’s AI‑powered government services,the US Department of Homeland Security’s fraud detection systems,and China’s smart traffic management as models from which Nigeria could draw lessons while tailoring solutions to local realities. He argued that predictive tools could help anticipate infrastructure failures or public‑health threats,and AI‑driven procurement and permit systems could make outcomes “more traceable and open to scrutiny.” [1]
If the government can pair technical deployments such as Service‑Wise GPT with the training and governance safeguards it has announced,the initiatives could reduce administrative bottlenecks and improve oversight. Yet success will hinge on resolving persistent challenges: uneven connectivity across states,data governance and accountability for algorithmic decisions,and resourcing for sustained implementation. Officials and technologists say those practical steps will determine whether AI becomes a catalyst for a more responsive,citizen‑centred public service or another set of fragmented pilots. [1][3][2][4]
##Reference Map:
- [1] (GuardianNigeria) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
- [3] (Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation) – Paragraph 3
- [5] (Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation) – Paragraph 3
- [6] (Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation) – Paragraph 3
- [7] (Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation) – Paragraph 3
- [2] (Vanguard) – Paragraph 4
- [4] (Nairametrics) – Paragraph 4
Source: Noah Wire Services
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Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments in Nigeria’s AI initiatives, with the earliest known publication date being 18 March 2025. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
