AI: A Game-Changer for Nigeria’s Public Service Delivery, Temilorun Tells FG By Shalom Oludele
AI: A Game-Changer for Nigeria’s Public Service Delivery, Temilorun Tells FGN
A Data Scientist at Westminster City Council, United Kingdom, Gbolahan Temilorun, has said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping how governments around the world deliver public services, adding that Nigeria stands at a critical point where this technology can significantly enhance governance, efficiency, and citizen engagement.
Temilorun, during a telephone interview , noted that as public expectations grow and resources remain limited, AI offers practical solutions to long-standing administrative challenges in the Nigerian public service.
“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. When applied to public service, AI can help governments respond faster, allocate resources more efficiently, and improve transparency,” he said.
Temilorun further explained that In public administration, one notable application of AI is the use of intelligent digital reporting platforms that allow citizens to report issues such as damaged infrastructure, waste management problems, traffic concerns, or public safety incidents using their mobile phones.
He said these platforms use AI to automatically classify complaints, identify locations through image recognition or geotagging, prioritize urgent cases, and route them to the appropriate government departments, adding that by reducing human bottlenecks, such systems ensure quicker response times and better accountability.
Temilorun advised that similar AI-driven tools could transform service delivery at the federal, state, and local government levels in Nigeria, saying that ministries and agencies could deploy AI chatbots to handle routine inquiries from the public, which will reduce congestion at offices and freeing civil servants to focus on more complex tasks.
According to the data scientist, AI systems could also be used to analyze large volumes of public data to detect fraud, improve tax administration, and enhance social welfare targeting.
He added that another important area where AI can be deployed in Nigeria is in urban management. “With Nigeria’s rapidly growing cities, AI can support smarter traffic control, waste collection planning, and environmental monitoring. Predictive analytics can help governments anticipate infrastructure failures or public health risks before they escalate, leading to proactive rather than reactive governance,” he said.
Emphasizing the benefits of adopting AI in the public service, Temilorun said it will also promote transparency, explaining that automated systems reduce discretionary decision-making and human interference, which are often associated with inefficiency and corruption. “When processes such as procurement analysis, permit approvals, or service requests are driven by data and algorithms, outcomes become more traceable and fair,” he added.
Temilorun, however, warned that the successful deployment of AI in Nigeria’s public sector requires careful planning, saying issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, digital literacy, and infrastructure gaps must be addressed. ” This can be possible when civil servants are trained to work alongside AI systems, with clear regulatory frameworks guiding the ethical use of data and algorithms,” he said.
Temilorun said AI is not a replacement for human judgment in governance, but a powerful tool that can strengthen Nigeria’s public service if properly harnessed.
He mentioned that some countries have gone ahead in deploying AI in their public services, and the outcomes have been success stories. He said: “Singapore’s Smart City Initiative, where AI-powered sensors and cameras monitor traffic, detect crimes, and predict maintenance needs, making the city more efficient and safe; UK’s NHS Chatbot, with an AI-powered chatbot helping patients get medical advice, reducing pressure on hospitals and improving healthcare outcomes; Estonia’s AI-powered Government Services is where AI handles routine tasks like tax returns and parking permits, freeing up civil servants for complex tasks.”
The data scientist also noted the US Department of Homeland Security’s AI-powered Fraud Detection helping to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, saving millions of dollars; and China’s Smart Traffic Management where AI optimizes traffic flow, reducing congestion and accidents in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
He said learning from global best practices and adapting them to local realities, Nigeria can use AI to build a more responsive, efficient, and citizen-centered public service for the future.
