As part of its Programme on AI and Digital Transformation for the Public Sector, UNESCO trained civil servants on AI and digital governance.
The world is increasingly digital. As technology reshapes societies, governments are accelerating digital transformation to better understand and serve their citizens. A 2021 UNESCO survey found that 90% of African countries, including Nigeria, wished for support for AI capacity-building for civil servants.
In Nigeria, the digital transformation effort is guided by the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. The strategy is a 10-year plan built on eight pillars to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation. It prioritizes digital literacy and skills across all sectors, making digital proficiency a fundamental requirement for public sector employees.
Last February, UNESCO helped Nigeria take a step further on this journey. In collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, UNESCO leveraged its Framework on AI & Digital Competencies for the Public Sector to train civil servants from both ministries.
In two sessions, UNESCO held trainings for 80 civil servants from 24th to 28th February 2025. Each training session equipped 40 senior and junior civil servants, respectively. Based on the UNESCO Framework, the expert trainers Dr. Raymond Onuoha and Dr. Gabriel Akinremi delivered a blend of multidisciplinary skills covering the management of digital projects, abilities to design public services with digital technologies, such as AI, and knowledge of governance, such as data openness, data protection, and cybersecurity.
“Digital competencies development must become our top priority because the success of government projects relies heavily on the competencies of public sector officials – their capacity to develop enabling frameworks, to anticipate technology trends, to mitigate the ethical- and human rights–related risks, to understand the development of digital platforms.” - Joshi Manish, Representative of UNESCO Abuja Head of Office and Representative
This training was part of the UNESCO Programme on AI and Digital Transformation for the Public Sector. In early 2021, UNESCO identified three barriers governments need to overcome to enjoy digital transformation:
- Cultural and organizational barriers: Resistance to experimentation, innovation, and little leadership support hinder digital transformation in government.
- Data and infrastructure barriers: Limited IT investment, inaccessible datasets, and immature data management and governance hinder national digital transformation.
- Human resource capacity: Gaps in AI and digital skills are worsened by low investment in digital, data, and IT training, along with poor adaptation of procured technologies to organizational needs.
As a response, the Programme aims to equipe the public sector with the expertise to integrate digital and AI solutions responsibly. The Framework on AI & Digital Competencies for the Public Sector serves as a knowledge basis to advance this objective. Still, every public organization has need of its own that require tailor-made responses.
Before the trainings, UNESCO listened to 330 civil servants across the Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Nigeria to understand the priorities of each institution towards their digital transformation. For example, we learned that most civil servants in these institutions see improved efficiency as the main benefit of using AI in the workplace. This is closely followed by improved quality of public services.
Based on findings like this, UNESCO tailored a training curriculum to tackle the needs voiced by the institutions. The training leveraged a mix of methods such as case studies, hands-on exercises, and theoretical discussions to cover topics like Open Data and Open Government, Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection and Privacy, Digital Transformation and Governance Strategies in the Public Sector, and Cybersecurity Fundamentals.
“So far, I have learnt that there are various policies that support open data and open government in Nigeria. I also learnt the importance of cybersecurity and the three pillars to always look out for.” - Ned Ibisoba, Federal Ministry of Youth Development
With this practical engagement, the workshop allowed participants to develop actionable strategies for their respective ministries. Following the training, UNESCO continues to support the ministries by co-designing a roadmap for upskilling their civil service with AI and digital transformation competencies.
“It was a privilege to attend the Capacity Building workshop on Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence organized by UNESCO where we delved into a range of topics and subtopics like Open Data, Open Government, Data Protection, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence and I’m glad to say it was an educative and an enriching experience.” - Oyeyemi Tunji, Principal Program Analyst, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation
Ultimately, the training is a new step towards the accomplishment of Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. Through expert-led sessions, participants explored critical topics in digital space and AI. As a direct outcome, participants committed to sharing the acquired knowledge by organizing in-house training sessions and collaborating on digital matters. The initiative marks another milestone in UNESCO’s efforts to ensure that AI and digital transformation serve as a force for good, empowering public institutions to embrace digital transformation while safeguarding human rights and ethical standards.
If you’re interested in receiving updates on the UNESCO Programme on AI and Digital Transformation for the Public Sector, you’re welcome to sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/kHgawLwqXN. Updates include information on in-person and online training opportunities, events, publications, and more.
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Quelle/Source: unesco, 25.03.2025
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