The Enugu State Government says it is driving a major boost in civil service productivity through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in public service delivery.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Head of Service, Godwin Anigbo, during the opening of a three-day AI literacy training programme for permanent secretaries and directors in the state civil service.
The training, supported by the European Union in collaboration with the Enugu State Government through the Office of the Head of Service, is aimed at equipping top civil servants with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate AI tools into governance and administrative processes.
Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary for General Administration, Ogbonna Idike, Anigbo said artificial intelligence is already reshaping workplace systems globally, improving efficiency and creating new economic opportunities that can drive broader development.
He stressed the importance of understanding not only the advantages of AI but also the ethical concerns and operational challenges associated with its use, adding that the training would help participants apply AI to solve practical governance and productivity issues.
Anigbo also commended Governor Peter Mbah for accelerating the digital transformation of the state civil service, moving it away from manual processes toward a fully digital system designed to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Speaking at the event, the UNESCO representative in Nigeria, Dimitri Sanga, noted that Nigeria’s national AI strategy aligns with global standards that promote ethical, inclusive, and human-centred deployment of artificial intelligence.
He explained that the framework adopted by UNESCO member states emphasises responsible AI development that supports innovation while safeguarding human rights and preventing misuse.
Sanga, represented by Nneka Okafor, said UNESCO has been actively supporting Nigeria through initiatives such as the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology launched in 2024 in partnership with the EU and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
He added that while AI offers significant benefits such as improved efficiency, job creation, and expanded access to information, it also presents risks that must be carefully managed through strong ethical and policy frameworks.