Written by Princess Fanshawe Sumanu
The Kogi State Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning has launched a two-day capacity building training on digital empowerment and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for economic planning and budgeting, as part of its continued efforts to strengthen evidence-based governance, improve public sector efficiency and align development planning with global best practices.
The two-day capacity training, to be held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Lokoja, will bring together planning and budget officers from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to enhance their knowledge and practical application of emerging digital technologies in planning, budgeting, monitoring and policy implementation.
The Secretary of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning declared the start of the training. Asiwaju Asiru Idris said the program was an important milestone in Kogi State’s journey towards building a modern, efficient and data-driven public service.
He expressed his deep gratitude to the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation, digital transformation and human capital development.
He noted that his administration continues to invest purposefully in technology and capacity building to ensure sustainable growth and improved service delivery in the state.
Mr. Idris, governments around the world are increasingly leveraging digital technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to improve decision-making, optimize resource allocation, enhance transparency and deliver better outcomes for their citizens, according to Hon.
“The future of governance belongs to institutions that can effectively leverage data and emerging technologies to solve complex societal challenges. As stewards of public resources and planners of our state’s development trajectory, we cannot afford to be left behind,” the Secretary said.
He explained that the training is carefully designed to provide participants with practical applications of modern digital tools and artificial intelligence and machine learning in economic planning and budgeting, forecasting and policy analysis, project monitoring and performance management.
My lord. Mr. Idris stressed that the successful implementation of Kogi State’s 32-year development plan requires not only adequate financial resources but also the implementation of modern technology to support evidence-based planning, effective implementation and continuous performance evaluation.
He urged the participants to make the most of the training by actively engaging with the facilitators, asking questions and sharing their experiences, stressing that the knowledge gained should lead to improved processes, enhanced service delivery and measurable development outcomes for the people of Kogi State.
In a presentation titled “Strategic Advantage for Governors: How AI can turn budgetary data into a blueprint for leadership in Kogi”, the Executive Director of the Kogi State Governance Implementation Unit, Ambassador Olusuji Aina, highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in driving real-time governance and accelerating development outcomes.
Ambassador Aina explained that Kogi State is gradually moving from assumption-based planning to reality-based governance through AI-powered systems that can verify policy and budgetary assumptions against real-world data.
He said the technology allows government leaders to identify implementation gaps, monitor project performance and make timely interventions as needed.
He further revealed that digital tools are being put in place to ensure that the annual budget is in line with the state’s long-term development goals under the 32-year development plan.
Through an automated accountability framework, planning and budgeting processes can be evaluated against strategic development goals before committing public resources.
The Director-General also emphasized the Administration’s commitment to transparency and public participation through digital platforms that provide public access to fiscal information, budget performance reports, and project implementation data.
He noted that digital empowerment fosters objectivity, accountability and better governance outcomes through reliance on facts, evidence and measurable indicators.
Speaking on the theme “Fundamentals of Digital Transformation in Government: E-Governance Concepts, Drivers and Cases,” lead facilitator Dr. Chidi Agbara of Little Seed Concepts and Labels Limited emphasized the importance of embracing technology as a key driver of institutional efficiency and public sector transformation.
Dr. Agbara outlined several innovative reforms aimed at modernizing government operations, including geo-fenced QR identification systems, biometric and facial recognition infrastructure, and AI-driven workforce management solutions, aimed at increasing accountability, reducing inefficiencies, and increasing productivity across government agencies.
He noted that Kogi State’s pragmatic digital transformation efforts place it among the emerging leaders in innovation-driven governance and position the state as a potential model for digital governance reform in Nigeria and beyond.
The training reflects the Kogi State Government’s commitment to equip civil servants with the skills and tools needed to navigate an increasingly digital world while strengthening planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation systems to improve governance outcomes.
This two-day program is expected to strengthen the participants’ ability to apply digital technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning in their daily work, thereby supporting the government’s vision of transparent, efficient and citizen-centric governance that delivers sustainable development for all Cogites.
Recommended heading alternatives:
Kogi builds AI, machine learning capabilities for economic planning and budgeting
