By Princess Funsho Sumanu
The Kogi State Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning has commenced a two-day capacity-building training on Digital Enhancement and the Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning for Economic Planning and Budgeting, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based governance, improve public sector efficiency, and align development planning with global best practices.
The two-day capacity training, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Lokoja, brings together Planning Officers and Budget Officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the state to enhance their knowledge and practical application of emerging digital technologies in planning, budgeting, monitoring, and policy implementation.
Declaring the training open, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Ashiru Idris, described the programme as a significant milestone in Kogi State’s journey toward building a modern, efficient, and data-driven public service.
The Commissioner expressed profound appreciation to the Executive 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 the administration’s deliberate investment in technology and capacity building continues to position the state for sustainable growth and improved service delivery.
According to Hon. Idris, governments around the world are increasingly leveraging digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to improve decision-making, optimize resource allocation, strengthen transparency, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
“The future of governance belongs to institutions that can effectively harness data and emerging technologies to solve complex societal challenges. As custodians of public resources and planners of our state’s development trajectory, we cannot afford to be left behind,” the Commissioner stated.
He explained that the training was carefully designed to equip participants with contemporary digital tools and practical applications of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning in economic planning and budgeting, forecasting and policy analysis, project monitoring, and performance management.
Hon. Idris emphasized that the successful implementation of Kogi State’s 32-Year Development Plan requires not only adequate financial resources but also the deployment of modern technology to support evidence-based planning, effective implementation, and continuous performance evaluation.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the training by actively engaging facilitators, asking questions, and sharing experiences, stressing that the knowledge acquired should translate into improved processes, enhanced service delivery, and measurable development outcomes for the people of Kogi State.
In a presentation titled “The Governor’s Strategic Edge: How AI Turns Budget Data into Kogi’s Leadership Blueprint,” the Director General of the Kogi State Governance Delivery Unit, Ambassador Olusuji Aina, PhD, highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in driving real-time governance and accelerating development outcomes.
Ambassador Aina explained that Kogi State is progressively transitioning from assumption-based planning to reality-based governance through AI-powered systems capable of validating policies and budget assumptions against real-world data.
According to him, the technology enables government leaders to identify implementation gaps, monitor project performance, and make timely interventions where necessary.
He further disclosed that digital tools are being deployed to ensure that annual budgets remain aligned with the state’s long-term development aspirations under the 32-Year Development Plan.
Through an automated accountability framework, planning and budgeting processes can be assessed against strategic development goals before public resources are committed.
The Director General also emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency and citizen participation through digital platforms that provide public access to fiscal information, budget performance reports, and project implementation data.
He noted that digital enhancement promotes objectivity, accountability, and better governance outcomes by relying on facts, evidence, and measurable indicators.
Speaking on the topic “Foundations of Digital Transformation in Government: Concepts, Drivers and the Case for E-Governance,” the Lead Facilitator, Dr. Chidi Agbara of Little Seed Concepts and Labels Limited, underscored the importance of embracing technology as a critical driver of institutional efficiency and public sector transformation.
Dr. Agbara outlined several innovative reforms designed to modernize government operations, including geofenced QR authentication systems, biometric and facial recognition infrastructure, and AI-driven workforce management solutions aimed at improving accountability, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing productivity across government institutions.
He noted that Kogi State’s commitment to practical digital transformation places it among the emerging leaders in innovation-driven governance and positions the state as a potential model for digital public administration reforms within Nigeria and beyond.
The training reflects the commitment of the Kogi State Government to equipping public servants with the skills and tools required to navigate an increasingly digital world while strengthening planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation systems for improved governance outcomes.
The two-day programme is expected to enhance participants’ capacity to apply digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and machine learning in their daily responsibilities, thereby supporting the administration’s vision of transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused governance that delivers sustainable development for all Kogites.
Suggested headline alternatives:
Kogi Builds Capacity in AI, Machine Learning for Economic Planning and Budgeting
