UNESCO, EU Train Enugu Permanent Secretaries, Directors on AI Ethics

UNESCO, with funding support from the European Union, has trained top civil servants in Enugu State on the ethical application of Artificial Intelligence, AI, as part of efforts to strengthen digital governance and improve public service delivery.

Speaking during the ongoing Artificial Intelligence Literacy Training for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in Enugu, the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Abuja and UNESCO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Dimitri Sanga, described the programme as a major step toward promoting ethical and informed decision-making in the use of emerging technologies within the public sector.

Dr Sanga, who was represented by the Coordinator for the Implementation of UNESCO Recommendations on AI Ethics in Nigeria, Dr Nneka Okafor, said the responsibility of designing and implementing development goals driven by AI and other emerging technologies rests heavily on technocrats, administrators, and policy makers.

According to him, the training provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their skills, share knowledge, and build the institutional capacity required for greater impact and improved service delivery.

“It is a moment to commit ourselves to collaboration and to embrace the spirit of lifelong learning,” he said.

Dr Sanga commended participants for their commitment to the training and praised the Head of Service of Enugu State, Dr Godwin Anigbo, for what he described as consistency and commitment in positioning the state as a strategic partner for the programme.

“Such proactiveness, in no small measure, is a huge source of inspiration that encourages us as international organisations to do more,” he stated.

He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the training for the benefit of the public service system and future generations.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, General Administration in the Office of the Head of Service, Dr Ogbonna Idike, described the training as top-notch in terms of resource persons, facilitators, and learning environment.

Dr Idike commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for supporting the digital transformation of the state civil service and for promoting the responsible use of AI in governance and service delivery.

“With this training, top personnel in ministries, departments and agencies are becoming more attuned to digitalisation and the ethical application of AI for purposeful and efficient service delivery,” he said.

He added that the collaboration involving the Enugu State Government, UNESCO, and the European Union would help position the state civil service among the most technologically advanced public institutions in the country.

One of the participants, Dr Joy Ezeh from the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Government, also commended the state government and the Office of the Head of Service for organising what she described as a practical and impactful training programme.

Dr Ezeh noted that the adoption of digital tools and AI in public service operations would improve efficiency, reduce delays, minimise unnecessary human interference, and strengthen accountability in governance.