In a significant call to action, a prominent data scientist has urged the Nigerian government to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into a comprehensive reform of the nation's public service. Gbolahan Temilorun stated that leveraging AI technology could dramatically enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement across all government institutions.
Addressing Nigeria's Critical Juncture with AI
Speaking in a telephone interview on 28 December 2025, Temilorun emphasized that Nigeria faces a pivotal moment. He cited rising public expectations, rapid population growth, and limited resources as key challenges demanding smarter governance solutions. According to him, AI provides practical tools to tackle long-standing administrative bottlenecks that have hampered progress.
He warned that while governments worldwide are already using AI to modernize service delivery, Nigeria risks falling further behind if it continues to depend on manual processes and disjointed digital systems. "At its core, AI refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as decision-making, pattern recognition, and language processing," Temilorun explained. "When applied to public service delivery, AI enables governments to respond faster, allocate resources more efficiently, and improve accountability."
Practical Applications for Immediate Impact
Temilorun outlined several immediate areas where AI could be deployed. One key application is the use of intelligent digital reporting platforms. These would allow citizens to report issues like damaged infrastructure, waste management problems, traffic concerns, or public safety incidents directly from their mobile phones.
He detailed that such platforms would use AI to:
- Automatically classify complaints.
- Identify precise locations through geotagging or image recognition.
- Prioritize urgent cases.
- Route them to the correct government agencies.
This process would significantly reduce delays and improve oversight. "Such systems reduce human bottlenecks and make it easier to track how complaints are handled. This helps build trust between citizens and government," he added.
Beyond citizen reporting, AI-driven chatbots could handle routine public inquiries across ministries, departments, and agencies. This would ease congestion at government offices and free civil servants to focus on more complex policy and administrative tasks.
Transforming Revenue, Welfare, and Urban Management
The data scientist further highlighted AI's potential in data analysis for fraud detection, improved tax administration, and enhancing social welfare programs. In urban management, a critical area as Nigerian cities expand, AI-powered analytics could manage traffic, plan waste collection, and monitor environmental risks.
"In areas such as revenue collection and social intervention schemes, AI can help reduce leakages by identifying anomalies and ensuring that support reaches intended beneficiaries," Temilorun noted. "Predictive tools can help authorities anticipate infrastructure failures or public health threats before they escalate."
He also stressed that AI adoption promotes greater transparency by reducing discretionary decision-making often linked to inefficiency and abuse. "When processes such as procurement analysis, permit approvals, or service requests are driven by data and algorithms, outcomes become more traceable and open to scrutiny," he stated.
Learning from Global Success Stories
Temilorun pointed to successful international implementations that Nigeria could learn from:
- Singapore's Smart City Initiative: AI-powered sensors monitor traffic, detect crimes, and predict maintenance needs.
- UK's NHS Chatbot: An AI-powered chatbot provides medical advice, reducing hospital pressure.
- Estonia's AI-powered Government Services: AI handles routine tasks like tax returns, freeing civil servants.
- US Department of Homeland Security's AI-powered Fraud Detection: Saves millions by detecting fraudulent activities.
- China's Smart Traffic Management: AI optimizes traffic flow, reducing congestion in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
However, he cautioned that successful AI deployment requires deliberate planning. This includes investment in digital infrastructure, robust data protection frameworks, cybersecurity, and capacity building for civil servants. Temilorun clarified that AI is not a replacement for human judgment but a powerful tool to strengthen Nigeria's public service if properly harnessed.
By learning from these global best practices and adapting them to local realities, Temilorun believes Nigeria can use AI to build a more responsive, efficient, and citizen-centred public service for the future.
