Nigeria’s civil service is undergoing a major digital overhaul. The federal government has officially rolled out several artificial intelligence‑(AI) driven initiatives to upgrade how public servants work, signalling a shift from traditional bureaucracy to a more agile, technology‑enabled public sector.
At the centre of the reforms is the launch of Service‑Wise GPT, an in‑house AI assistant developed for the federal civil service. Announced by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the tool is designed to streamline access to public‑service rules, statutory instruments, regulations and guidelines, while automating tasks such as memo drafting and policy research. The Head of Service reported that early users claimed they saved two to three hours daily and that 90 % recommended the tool’s effectiveness.
In parallel, the federal government in partnership with Google LLC and Apolitical has launched the “Government AI Campus” to train public servants in AI adoption. The initiative emphasizes building awareness among senior decision‑makers, equipping mid‑level managers with applied skills for AI in day‑to‑day workflows, and eventually up‑skilling the broader civil service.
These efforts reflect Nigeria’s ambition to boost governance efficiency, transparency and citizen service delivery. According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, AI is already seen as “central to improving productivity in key sectors like food security, education and healthcare. The reforms also align with overarching government policies to digitise the public sector: for example, the aim for the Federal Civil Service to become fully paper‑less by December 2025.
But the transformation is not just about technology. The Bureau of Public Service Reforms recently held workshops themed “AI‑Driven Reforms: Strengthening Public Sector Innovation and Accountability,” arguing that public servants must become more data‑driven, tech‑oriented and aligned with ethical governance. Nigeria’s public servants
This push has multiple implications. For citizens, it could mean faster processing of requests, fewer delays and less red tape. For the government, improved regulatory compliance, better monitoring of service delivery, and more informed decision‑making. And for public servants, it signals a shift from routine administration to higher‑value work driven by insights, tools and automation.
Of course, challenges remain: ensuring data privacy, preventing algorithmic bias, training a large workforce, upgrading infrastructure and embedding change in institutions with long‑standing practices. But Nigeria’s ‘AI upgrade’ for its public service is a clear step towards a more modern, responsive state.
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