Nigeria is pushing to embed artificial intelligence at the heart of public sector governance while warning that unregulated AI adoption could undermine transparency and accountability.
The Federal Government launched the initiative Wednesday in Abuja through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, in partnership with UNESCO and with support from the European Union. The three-day AI Literacy Training Programme targets senior civil servants as part of a broader reform agenda to modernize service delivery.
Declaring the programme open, Head of the Civil Service Didi Esther Walson-Jack said AI reforms are central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes digitalisation, performance, and improved public service delivery.
“The Nigerian Federal Civil Service cannot afford to stand on the sidelines of this transformation,” Walson-Jack said, represented by Dr. Gideon Adogbo. She noted AI is already reshaping global policymaking and institutional responsiveness to citizens.
*Service Wise GPT unveiled*
A key part of the rollout is “Service Wise GPT”, an AI-powered platform designed to help public servants quickly navigate Public Service Rules, financial regulations, procurement guidelines, and official circulars.
Walson-Jack stressed the tool is meant to support, not replace, human judgment — aiming to cut bureaucratic delays and improve decision-making.
*Caution on risks and ethics*
The Head of Service also issued a warning against unchecked AI deployment in government. She said without proper safeguards, AI could introduce bias, misinformation, data misuse, privacy violations, and weak accountability.
“Artificial Intelligence must support openness, not secrecy. It must strengthen accountability, not reduce it,” she said, adding that all AI systems must comply with existing procurement and transparency laws.
She urged Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and ICT Heads to ensure digital systems remain secure, auditable, and aligned with national interest.
*UNESCO backs responsible AI framework*
UNESCO’s Acting Head of Education Sector in Abuja, Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi, described the programme as a milestone in building a responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria’s National AI Strategy aligns with UNESCO’s global ethics framework adopted by over 190 countries, which emphasizes rights-based and development-oriented AI systems.
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Adeyemi noted that UNESCO, with EU support, had earlier launched an AI Readiness Assessment in Nigeria to guide policy and strengthen preparedness.
*Train-the-trainers approach*
Mrs. Joy Baderin, Director overseeing the Special Duties Office in the OHCSF, said the programme adopts a train-the-trainers model to cascade knowledge across Ministries, Departments and Agencies for long-term impact.
Participants are expected to return to their institutions with practical strategies for deploying AI tools while strengthening oversight and service delivery.
Walson-Jack said the ultimate goal is to improve citizens’ welfare through governance that is efficient, transparent, and responsive.
“The future of the Nigerian Civil Service will be shaped by our ability to combine innovation with integrity, technology with accountability, and efficiency with service to the people,” she said.
The initiative positions Nigeria to emerge as a regional leader in responsible AI while ensuring digital transformation delivers tangible public benefits.
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