Artificial intelligence in public service and governance in Nigeria

Published: Oct 17, 2024

Abstract:

Purpose: This study explores the current state of artificial intelligence implementation in Nigeria’s public service and the potential benefits, challenges, and strategic steps needed to harness AI for improved governance and service delivery.

Methods: The research design was qualitative. The data were collected using secondary data collection, in which a thorough literature review of academic articles, books, and reports related to AI was consulted. This study applied a thematic research approach to clarify the underlying issues, beliefs, and experiences related to artificial intelligence in governance and public services. The study was also anchored to content analysis.

Results: The findings revealed that AI application in Nigeria’s public service is still in its early stages, with promising developments in areas such as e-governance, healthcare, banking sector, real estate business, and law enforcement/security outfits. There is a need for the government in Nigeria to invest significantly in infrastructural advancement and human capital development, which in turn will close the skill gaps, infrastructural deficits, and lapses that crop up from the unawareness of Artificial Intelligence in the technological advancement of Nigeria.

Limitations: This study examined the current state of AI in Nigeria's public services and governance by identifying the key barriers that affect the adoption and implementation of AI. The study made progressive recommendations that integrated the application of artificial intelligence in public services and governance in Nigeria.

Contributions: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how AI can be adopted in Nigeria’s unique environment.

Findings: This study did not receive any funding from any agency or organization.

Keywords:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
2. Public Service
3. Governance
4. Efficiency
5. Productivity
Authors:
1 . Chibuzo Charles Nwosu
2 . Dike Chijioke Obalum
3 . Mathias Ozoemena Ananti
How to Cite
Nwosu, C. C., Obalum, D. C., & Ananti, M. O. (2024). Artificial intelligence in public service and governance in Nigeria. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 4(2), 109–120. https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v4i2.2425

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References

    Agba, M. S., Agba, G. E. M., & Obeten, A. W. (2023). Artificial intelligence and public management and governance in developed and developing market economies. Journal of Public Administration, Policy and Governance Research, 1(2), 1-14.

    Amaresh, P. (2020). Artificial Intelligence: A New driving horse in International Relations and Diplomacy.

    Ananyi, S. O., & Nwosu, L. K. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and Economic Aspects of Nigerian Public Universities.

    Bingham, L. B., Nabatchi, T., & O'Leary, R. (2005). The new governance: Practices and processes for stakeholder and citizen participation in the work of government. Public administration review, 65(5), 547-558.

    Bryson, J., & Winfield, A. (2017). Standardizing Ethical Design for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems. Computer, 50, 116-119. doi:10.1109/MC.2017.154

    ClaimVantage. (2017). Artificial Intelligence (AI): What is it and how does it work? Retrieved from https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5424a424-c590-45f0-9e2a-ab05daff032d

    Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R., & Warshaw, P. (1989). Technology acceptance model. J Manag Sci, 35(8), 982-1003.

    Frankenfield, J. (2022). Artificial Intelligence: What it is and how it is used. Investopedia.

    Fukuyama, F. (2013). What is governance? Governance, 26(3), 347-368.

    Gwagwa, A., Kraemer-Mbula, E., Rizk, N., Rutenberg, I., & De Beer, J. (2020). Artificial intelligence (AI) deployments in Africa: benefits, challenges and policy dimensions. The African Journal of Information and Communication, 26, 1-28.

    Hassan, K. I., Olufemi, F. J., & Oladimeji, A. (2023). ASSESSMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN LAGOS STATE PUBLIC SERVICE. Journal of Management Research.

    McCarthy, J., Minsky, M. L., Rochester, N., & Shannon, C. E. (2006). A proposal for the dartmouth summer research project on artificial intelligence, august 31, 1955. AI magazine, 27(4), 12-12.

    Nakolisa, D. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and Public Service Delivery in Africa. Journal of Medicine, Engineering, Environmental and Physical Sciences (JOMEEPS), 1(2).

    Obi, U. V., Ole, N. C., & Uzoigwe, S. (n.d.). Artificial intelligence (AI) systems use in Nigeria: charting the course for AI policy development. Retrieved from https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=600a8ee0-5b28-44da-8415-0e07c7f333fe

    OECD. (2019). Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/oecd-legal-0449

    Putri, A. M., Syamsu, S., & Triono, A. (2024). Policy to replace electronic card into population digital in South Lampung Regency. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 4(1), 19-29.

    Sharma, G. D., Yadav, A., & Chopra, R. (2020). Artificial intelligence and effective governance: A review, critique and research agenda. Sustainable Futures, 2, 100004.

    Ugwuozor, F. O., & Egenti, M. C. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Recent Graduates’ Perspective. Creative Artist: A Journal of Theatre and Media Studies, 18(1), 1-19.

    Uzor, O. A., Emenike, E., & Nwosu, C. C. (2023). Information and Communication Technology and Human Resources Management in the Nigeria University System (2010-2021). International Journal of Academic Management Science Research (IJAMSR), 7(11), 13-19.

    Yulianita, A., Subardin, S., & Zulfikri, Z. (2024). Government size and digital inequality in Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 4(1), 31-41.

  1. Agba, M. S., Agba, G. E. M., & Obeten, A. W. (2023). Artificial intelligence and public management and governance in developed and developing market economies. Journal of Public Administration, Policy and Governance Research, 1(2), 1-14.
  2. Amaresh, P. (2020). Artificial Intelligence: A New driving horse in International Relations and Diplomacy.
  3. Ananyi, S. O., & Nwosu, L. K. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and Economic Aspects of Nigerian Public Universities.
  4. Bingham, L. B., Nabatchi, T., & O'Leary, R. (2005). The new governance: Practices and processes for stakeholder and citizen participation in the work of government. Public administration review, 65(5), 547-558.
  5. Bryson, J., & Winfield, A. (2017). Standardizing Ethical Design for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems. Computer, 50, 116-119. doi:10.1109/MC.2017.154
  6. ClaimVantage. (2017). Artificial Intelligence (AI): What is it and how does it work? Retrieved from https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5424a424-c590-45f0-9e2a-ab05daff032d
  7. Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R., & Warshaw, P. (1989). Technology acceptance model. J Manag Sci, 35(8), 982-1003.
  8. Frankenfield, J. (2022). Artificial Intelligence: What it is and how it is used. Investopedia.
  9. Fukuyama, F. (2013). What is governance? Governance, 26(3), 347-368.
  10. Gwagwa, A., Kraemer-Mbula, E., Rizk, N., Rutenberg, I., & De Beer, J. (2020). Artificial intelligence (AI) deployments in Africa: benefits, challenges and policy dimensions. The African Journal of Information and Communication, 26, 1-28.
  11. Hassan, K. I., Olufemi, F. J., & Oladimeji, A. (2023). ASSESSMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN LAGOS STATE PUBLIC SERVICE. Journal of Management Research.
  12. McCarthy, J., Minsky, M. L., Rochester, N., & Shannon, C. E. (2006). A proposal for the dartmouth summer research project on artificial intelligence, august 31, 1955. AI magazine, 27(4), 12-12.
  13. Nakolisa, D. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and Public Service Delivery in Africa. Journal of Medicine, Engineering, Environmental and Physical Sciences (JOMEEPS), 1(2).
  14. Obi, U. V., Ole, N. C., & Uzoigwe, S. (n.d.). Artificial intelligence (AI) systems use in Nigeria: charting the course for AI policy development. Retrieved from https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=600a8ee0-5b28-44da-8415-0e07c7f333fe
  15. OECD. (2019). Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/oecd-legal-0449
  16. Putri, A. M., Syamsu, S., & Triono, A. (2024). Policy to replace electronic card into population digital in South Lampung Regency. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 4(1), 19-29.
  17. Sharma, G. D., Yadav, A., & Chopra, R. (2020). Artificial intelligence and effective governance: A review, critique and research agenda. Sustainable Futures, 2, 100004.
  18. Ugwuozor, F. O., & Egenti, M. C. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Recent Graduates’ Perspective. Creative Artist: A Journal of Theatre and Media Studies, 18(1), 1-19.
  19. Uzor, O. A., Emenike, E., & Nwosu, C. C. (2023). Information and Communication Technology and Human Resources Management in the Nigeria University System (2010-2021). International Journal of Academic Management Science Research (IJAMSR), 7(11), 13-19.
  20. Yulianita, A., Subardin, S., & Zulfikri, Z. (2024). Government size and digital inequality in Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 4(1), 31-41.