The Federal Government on Monday launched a five-day training programme in Gombe State aimed at equipping civil servants with artificial intelligence (AI) skills to enhance public service delivery. The programme, themed “Strengthening Public Sector Performance through Reforms in Nigeria,” brought together reform directors from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local government chairmen.
Opening the event, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Arabi, said the initiative was designed to deepen reforms and align public service operations with modern technological demands.
“Civil servants must learn AI tools because technology now drives effective public service,” he said, noting that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Mr. Arabi explained that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift from analogue to digital systems, making AI adoption indispensable.
“We want participants to deliver services using AI as approved by the e-governance master plan,” he said. He added that government policies now encourage the integration of AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into public administration.
Citing changes in leadership dynamics, Mr. Arabi urged participants to prepare for emerging governance challenges.
“Researchers say this may be the last batch of leaders managing people alone,” he said, noting that future management would involve a blend of human and machine collaboration before gradually becoming predominantly machine-centred.
He challenged participants to develop innovative ideas that protect Nigeria’s human capital amid rapid technological change. Mr. Arabi assured that outcomes from the workshop would be implemented to strengthen public service delivery nationwide.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Head of Service, Mr. Kasimu Abdullahi, said the state had recorded significant progress since adopting key reforms. He credited Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to reform for notable improvements in citizens’ welfare and pledged that the state would continue to align with national efforts to enhance public sector efficiency.
