The Association of Nigeria Public Administrators (ANPA) has called for the establishment of dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) units in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to accelerate digital transformation and improve governance in Nigeria.
Professor Kamal Bello, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Chairman of ANPA’s Board of Trustees, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at the association’s 6th International Annual Conference.
The conference, which focused on “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance, and the Future of Public Administration in Nigeria,” brought together stakeholders to examine the role of emerging technologies in strengthening public administration.
Bello said the proposed AI units would support government employees in adapting to new technologies and integrating them into their daily responsibilities.
He explained that the transition to AI-driven governance must be gradual, noting that many civil servants had spent several years working with conventional administrative systems and would require adequate support and training to embrace digital tools.
According to him, the government should establish specialised AI desks within MDAs to assist departments and personnel who are yet to develop the skills required to use the technology effectively.
He argued that expecting every public servant to adopt AI simultaneously would be unrealistic without a structured implementation plan.
Bello also highlighted persistent infrastructure challenges, including unreliable electricity, inadequate internet connectivity and the high cost of data, which he said could undermine the effective deployment of AI across government institutions.
He called on the government to address these limitations and create an environment that supports technology adoption, adding that digital transformation would be difficult without dependable infrastructure and affordable internet access.
Addressing concerns about the potential loss of jobs to AI and robotics, the professor maintained that technological advancement would not eliminate the relevance of human beings, stressing that human involvement would remain important in the operation and application of AI systems.
On the association’s achievements, Bello said ANPA had grown to more than 500 members drawn from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
He added that the association had sustained its annual academic journal publications since its establishment, while its conferences continued to provide platforms for professional engagement and knowledge sharing.
He disclosed that after holding its previous conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the association planned to host its next edition at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Bello said ANPA was established to strengthen the identity of public administration as a distinct academic and professional discipline, separate from its traditional placement within political science and management studies.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Engineer Michael Oluwagbemi, immediate past Chief Executive of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), also expressed concern about the limited use of AI by government officials.
He questioned how public institutions could deliver quality services in a rapidly evolving technological environment without effectively deploying AI to enhance efficiency.
Meanwhile, the lead paper presenter, Professor Oyadiran Philip Adeyinka, a scholar of Human Resource Management and Policy Analysis, expressed optimism that the conference would produce a blueprint to guide the government’s development agenda.
He described technological change as an ongoing process driven by creativity and innovation.
The conference also featured an awards ceremony recognising Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in their respective fields.
ANPA Seeks Dedicated AI Units in MDAs to Boost Public Service Delivery
