The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim-Arabi, has called on government information officers to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic tool for enhancing public communication, transparency, and citizen engagement in the digital age.
Speaking at the opening of a five-day Executive Training on Strategic Communication and the Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Public Sector Communication in Kano, Mr Arabi said the public service must adapt to emerging technologies to remain relevant and responsive to citizens’ information needs.
The training, organised by the BPSR, in collaboration with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, brought together information and communication officers from almost 60 Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the country.
Addressing participants, the BPSR DG said the programme was designed to equip government communicators with the knowledge and practical skills required to communicate public policies effectively in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
According to him, the initiative forms part of the Bureau’s commitment to strengthening communication within the public service and ensuring that government institutions engage citizens more effectively through modern communication platforms.
Mr. Arabi said: “We have brought together participants from various ministries, departments and agencies because communication is changing rapidly. Information officers must understand how to use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to engage citizens and communicate government programmes more effectively.”
He explained that one of the core mandates of the Bureau is to bridge the gap between government and citizens by promoting access to accurate and timely information on public sector reforms and government activities.
Mr. Arabi noted that Nigeria’s commitments under the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Government Partnership underscore the need for public institutions to embrace transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
He observed that government communication has evolved beyond conventional media platforms following the approval of the National E-Government Master Plan by the Federal Executive Council, which encourages the adoption of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things in public service delivery.
Mr. Arabi told the participants: “We want information officers to understand these emerging technologies and deploy them responsibly. While AI presents enormous opportunities, it must be used ethically to prevent misinformation and ensure citizens receive credible, accurate and timely information.”
He stressed that government institutions must become more visible on the digital platforms where citizens increasingly consume information, adding that “More than 60 percent of Nigerians are below the age of 40, and many of them obtain information through digital platforms. Government must therefore be present where the people are, providing accurate information and countering misinformation with facts.”
Mr. Arabi cautioned information officers against the growing threat of fake news and disinformation, describing them as major challenges confronting governance and public trust globally.
According to him, public communicators have a critical responsibility to ensure that verified and factual information reaches citizens promptly, particularly in an environment where false narratives can spread rapidly through digital platforms.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described artificial intelligence as a transformative technology capable of revolutionising public communication and governance.
He noted that while AI offers significant opportunities for improving information dissemination, public engagement, and content creation, it also raises concerns relating to misinformation, privacy, ethics, bias, and cybersecurity.
Mr. Waiya said the Kano State Government had established a Digital Multimedia Department within the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to strengthen digital communication and build the capacity of government information officers in emerging technologies.
In his welcome remarks, the chairman of the board of the IMPR, Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, described the training as timely and necessary, noting that it would expose participants to emerging trends in strategic communication, information management, and AI.
He expressed confidence that participants would acquire practical knowledge and skills that would enhance communication effectiveness within their respective organisations.
Established by the Federal Government on February 4, 2004, the BPSR is tasked with initiating, coordinating, and ensuring the full implementation of public service reforms in Nigeria.
