The Lagos State Government has produced a new set of Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals, as its social media handlers successfully completed an intensive two-day AI training programme and were awarded international credentials as Certified Artificial Intelligence Professionals (CAIP).
The newly acquired skills, certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), are expected to boost the online presence of the state government, increase citizen engagement, and further drive digital communication and governance in line with global best practices.
Addressing the participants on Day One of the training held on Wednesday at the LCCI, CBD, Alausa-Ikeja, the Director of the Social Media Department, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Dr. Olajide Atansuyi, said the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to equipping its workforce with globally recognised digital competencies.
He said: “The newly certified professionals are expected to apply AI-powered solutions in streamlining information dissemination, improving service delivery, and strengthening public engagement across various government platforms.”
Dr. Atansuyi emphasised that the AI training aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of a “Smarter Lagos,” where technology and innovation play central roles in driving socio-economic development.
“This milestone is about positioning Lagos State to leverage artificial intelligence in solving communication challenges, improving efficiency in governance, and enhancing the experience of residents in accessing government services,” he added.
According to him, the certification will also contribute to Lagos’ ambition of becoming the digital hub of Africa by promoting a culture of excellence, professionalism, and innovation among its workforce.
The Team Lead of the consulting firm that conducted the training, Digital Academy, Dr. Achi Celestine, expressed confidence in the capacity of the newly certified professionals to make visible impacts in the digital space by shaping online conversations.
He explained that the training was designed to blend theory with practical applications, ensuring that participants could immediately apply the knowledge gained to their daily work.
“We focused on AI ethics, machine learning for communication, natural language processing for content creation, and AI-powered data analytics to monitor and improve public engagement. The outcome has been impressive, and Lagos State has clearly set a new benchmark for digital governance,” he said.
Dr. Celestine further encouraged the participants to continue exploring and innovating with AI tools, assuring that his firm would provide post-training support to ensure sustainability and measurable results.
He applauded the Lagos State Government for being deliberate in its vision to integrate AI into governance, describing the move as “forward-thinking and exemplary for other states in Nigeria and Africa at large.”
One of the participants of the training, Mr. Francis Obafemi-Ajayi, Deputy Director, Social Media Department, expressed appreciation to the State Government for the rare opportunity and pledged to use the newly acquired knowledge to advance the Smart City agenda.
He assured that the skills gained would be deployed to ensure better interaction between the government and citizens.
Obafemi-Ajayi particularly thanked the State Government for deliberately investing in digital literacy, emerging technologies, and innovation as tools for sustainable development and global competitiveness.
Also sharing his experience, Mr. Ayo Afuwape, an Assistant Chief Public Affairs Officer in the Ministry, described the training as a “game changer” in his professional journey.
According to him, the programme opened his eyes to practical AI applications that can transform content creation, fact-checking, and audience engagement in real time.
He noted: “The hands-on sessions helped me to appreciate the endless possibilities of AI in governance communication. I am now more confident in my ability to deploy AI tools in simplifying complex government policies for residents and making our digital platforms more interactive.”
He added that the initiative will significantly improve the productivity of officers and ensure that Lagos remains ahead of other states in technology-driven communication.
