The Enugu State Government has intensified efforts to improve productivity and service delivery in the state civil service through the adoption and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Key Highlights
- Enugu Government organises AI literacy training for Permanent Secretaries and Directors
- Training funded by the European Union in partnership with Enugu State Government
- Officials say AI will improve productivity and service delivery
- Gov. Peter Mbah praised for driving digital transformation in the civil service
- UNESCO highlights ethical use of AI and human-centered development
- Training focuses on practical application of AI in solving workplace challenges
The Enugu State Head of Service, Godwin Anigbo, disclosed this while declaring open a three-day Artificial Intelligence Literacy Training for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the state.
The training programme is being funded by the European Union in partnership with the Enugu State Government through the Office of the Head of Service.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Dr Ogbonna Idike, Anigbo said AI has continued to transform workplaces and industries globally by improving efficiency, innovation, and productivity.
According to him, the increasing impact of AI on the economy has created new opportunities for societal growth and development, making it important for civil servants to understand both the benefits and ethical responsibilities associated with the technology.
“As this continues to evolve, it is therefore important for us to understand not only the benefits of AI, but also the ethical responsibilities and challenges that come with it,” he said.
Anigbo noted that the training would provide participants with practical knowledge on how AI can be deployed to solve real-life problems and improve efficiency within government institutions.
He also commended Peter Mbah for his administration’s commitment to digitalising the state civil service and modernising governance processes.
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According to him, Governor Mbah envisions a modern civil service system driven by digital tools and a workforce capable of leveraging AI for improved productivity and effective service delivery.
Speaking at the event, Dimitri Sanga, Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Abuja, said Nigeria’s AI national strategy promotes collaboration, ethical standards, and human-centered technological development.
Represented by Dr Nneka Okafor, Coordinator of UNESCO Recommendations on the Ethics of AI in Nigeria, Sanga explained that UNESCO and its 192 member states adopted the first global normative guidelines on responsible AI in 2021.
He stated that the UNESCO Recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence were designed to ensure that AI development advances economic and social progress without violating human rights or threatening humanity.
“AI technologies offer immense benefits including greater efficiency, expanded access to information, job creation, and increased public revenues,” he said.
However, he warned that AI also poses significant risks that require proper regulation and ethical oversight.
Sanga further revealed that UNESCO, with support from the European Union and in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, launched the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology in Nigeria in 2024.
Analysts say the Enugu AI training programme reflects a growing push among Nigerian state governments to integrate digital technologies into public administration and improve governance outcomes.
