By Paul Chimodo
The Federal Government has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to make access to government information and public services easier for Nigerians through WhatsApp and web channels.
The platform, known as GovGuideNigeria, was unveiled by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, as part of efforts to modernise public service delivery and reduce the barriers citizens face when seeking government-related information.
According to the minister, the AI system allows users to interact with more than 35 federal ministries and over 60 government agencies using WhatsApp, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices or navigating complex websites. The service is also accessible via the web.
Tijani explained that the platform was designed to be inclusive, especially for underserved and low-literacy communities, adding that it supports multiple languages including English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba to bridge communication gaps across the country.
He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to deploying technology and artificial intelligence in ways that directly improve citizens’ daily interactions with public institutions, while also strengthening transparency and efficiency in governance.
The platform was developed in collaboration with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Meta, and local technology partners, in what officials described as a public-private effort to deepen digital inclusion in Nigeria.
Government officials say GovGuideNigeria is expected to reduce delays in accessing information, improve responsiveness of public institutions, and bring government services closer to citizens through widely used digital platforms.
