Nigeria’s Presidential Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy (PODES) has joined forces with Cyberpedia Internet Governance, a cybersecurity firm, to launch an initiative that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to promote ‘informed civic engagement’.
The collaboration, spearheaded by Otega Ogra, head of PODES and senior special assistant to the president, seeks to ‘reimagine civic communication in Nigeria’, according to an official statement.
The partnership will leverage advanced AI tools to tackle the spread of false information and empower citizens to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
“This is not about controlling narratives, but about empowering Nigerians to lead informed conversations,” said Ogra. “In today’s digital age, trust is paramount. By equipping citizens with the right tools, we aim to build transparency and strengthen public trust.”
Two key areas of focus are set to underpin the work of the initiative, specifically real-time public sentiment mapping and grassroots empowerment.
“Using AI, the partnership will analyse public sentiment across Nigeria’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape, where over 400 languages present unique challenges for centralised communication,” he said.
The initiative will also collaborate with local influencers, community leaders, and cultural ambassadors to co-create relatable content that promotes national values, counters misinformation, and fosters constructive dialogue.
Abiodun Sowemimo, president, Cyberpedia, described the partnership as a groundbreaking model for governance in the digital era.
“This initiative transcends Nigeria,” he stated. “It demonstrates how democracies can ethically harness technology to enhance citizen participation while upholding democratic principles.”
The partnership will also include digital literacy programmes, including mobile apps and gamified educational experiences, to help Nigerians identify manipulated content, fake news, and deep fake technology.
“These tools are designed to proactively combat misinformation and foster a more informed citizenry,” Sowemimo said.
“This initiative comes at a critical time as democracies worldwide grapple with the rise of misinformation, fuelled by emerging technologies. With one of the youngest populations in Africa and a vibrant digital ecosystem, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to pioneer scalable solutions that could set new global standards for digital engagement and public trust.”
Share
