Data scientist Gbolahan Temilorun has called on the Federal Government to make Artificial Intelligence a core part of ongoing public service reforms, arguing that it can boost efficiency, transparency and citizen engagement across ministries and agencies. He said rising public expectations, rapid population growth and limited resources mean Nigeria must embrace smarter ways of governing or risk falling behind countries already modernising with AI.
Temilorun explained that AI refers to computer systems capable of tasks such as decision making, pattern recognition and language processing, which can help governments respond faster and allocate resources more effectively. When embedded in public service delivery, he noted, AI can reduce delays, improve accountability and cut back on manual, fragmented processes that slow down service to citizens.
One immediate use case he cited is intelligent digital reporting platforms that allow citizens to report damaged roads, waste problems, traffic issues or safety incidents via their mobile phones. Such platforms, he said, can use AI to classify complaints, geo locate incidents through tagging or image recognition, prioritise urgent cases and route them automatically to the right government desk, while tracking how each complaint is resolved.
Temilorun added that AI powered chatbots can be deployed across ministries, departments and agencies to handle routine enquiries, reducing queues at government offices and freeing civil servants to focus on complex policy and administrative work. He also pointed out that AI systems can analyse large volumes of public data to detect fraud, strengthen tax administration and make social welfare programmes more effective by ensuring benefits reach intended beneficiaries.
He identified urban management as another area where AI can have major impact as Nigerian cities expand, from improving revenue collection and plugging leakages to planning waste collection and managing traffic with predictive tools. According to him, AI powered analytics can help authorities anticipate infrastructure failures or public health threats and intervene before problems escalate.
The data scientist stressed that wider AI adoption would also promote transparency by reducing discretionary decisions often linked to inefficiency or abuse. When processes like procurement analysis, permit approvals and service requests are driven by data and algorithms, he said, outcomes become more traceable and open to scrutiny.
Temilorun, however, warned that successful deployment in the public sector requires careful planning, including investment in digital infrastructure, strong data protection and cybersecurity frameworks, and capacity building for civil servants. He emphasised that AI should support, not replace, human judgment in governance and must be implemented ethically and responsibly.
To illustrate global best practice, he highlighted Singapore’s Smart City Initiative, where AI powered sensors and cameras help monitor traffic, detect crime and predict maintenance needs; the UK’s NHS chatbot, which offers patients medical advice and eases pressure on hospitals; and Estonia’s AI driven government services that automate routine tasks like tax returns and parking permits. He also referenced US homeland security fraud detection systems and China’s smart traffic management, which use AI to reduce congestion and accidents in major cities.
Temilorun said Nigeria can learn from these examples and adapt them to local realities to build a more responsive, efficient and citizen centred public service. He argued that with the right strategy, AI can become a powerful tool to modernise governance and improve everyday interactions between citizens and the state.
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