Enugu State Trains Permanent Secretaries, Directors on AI for Service Delivery

The Enugu State Government says it is intensifying efforts to improve productivity and efficiency in the civil service through the application of Artificial Intelligence in public service delivery.

The Head of Service, Godwin Anigbo, stated this while declaring open a three-day Artificial Intelligence Literacy Training for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in Enugu.

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, Office of the Head of Service, Ogbonna Idike, Dr Anigbo said Artificial Intelligence had transformed workplaces and industries across the world.

He noted that the technology continues to create opportunities for economic growth and institutional development.

“As this continue 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.

“So my dear colleagues and other participants, this training provides a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and meaningful discussions.

“This will provide you with the practical knowledge, ideas on how AI can be applied to solve real life problems and improve productivity in our working places and environment,” Dr Anigbo added.

The Head of Service commended the administration of Peter Mbah for driving the digital transformation of the state civil service.

“His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has envisioned Enugu State having modern civil service system built on digitalisation and workforce being competent to use digital tools and AI to increase daily productivity and service delivery,” he stated.

Also speaking, Dimitri Sanga, Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Abuja and UNESCO Representative in Nigeria, said Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence strategy emphasises collaboration, ethical standards, and human-centred innovation.

Represented by Nneka Okafor, Dr Sanga said Nigeria’s digital economy plans align with the position adopted by UNESCO member states in 2021 on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.

According to him, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence was designed to ensure that technological advancement supports development without undermining human rights or public safety.

“The guidelines highlight UNESCO’s role as the only United Nations agency with a mandate in the sciences, ensuring that global and regional adoption of AI advances development gains for all, without endangering humanity or violating human rights,” he said.

He added that Artificial Intelligence offers major benefits, including improved efficiency, wider access to information, job creation, and increased public revenue, but warned that the technology also presents risks that require responsible regulation and oversight.

“UNESCO has also committed significantly to ensuring that Nigeria as a member state aligns its AI development plans with best global practice.

“In 2024, UNESCO with support from EU, and under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, launched the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology in Nigeria,” he added.