The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to digital transformation by partnering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Union (EU) to host an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy Training workshop for senior civil servants.
Speaking while declaring the workshop open in Calabar, the Cross River State Head of Service, Mr. Orok Bassey Okon, urged participants to fully embrace the opportunity, noting that rapid technological advancements are fundamentally reshaping governance, public service delivery, and the global economy.
"The world is changing rapidly, and technology is at the centre of that transformation. As public servants, we must position ourselves to understand and utilise emerging technologies like AI to improve governance. I encourage everyone here to apply this knowledge for the direct benefit of our state," the HoS charged.
Echoing this sentiment, the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office, Mrs. Lucy Bassey Enakirerhi, described the training as incredibly timely. She emphasised that AI has emerged as a primary driver of the global digital economy, making AI literacy essential for navigating modern public administration.
On his part, the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Abuja Office, Dr. Dimitri Senga, represented by Ms. Nneka Okafor, commended the Cross River State Government for proactively investing in its workforce. She noted that the initiative serves as a powerful platform to strengthen skills, share knowledge, and build the capacity required to achieve measurable impact in public service.
The training featured a general appreciation of AI led by prominent AI experts, Dr. Adekemi Omotubola and Dr. Goni Ibrahim. The facilitators provided practical insights into operational tools, deploying AI applications to streamline daily administrative workflows. Other areas covered included ethical frameworks, navigating data privacy concerns, ensuring responsible AI usage in the public sector, and identifying and managing the potential risks associated with automated systems.
The workshop maintained a highly interactive atmosphere, moving beyond theory into practical execution. Participants were split into cross-functional teams to tackle hands-on tasks, exploring how AI concepts can solve real-world governance challenges in Cross River State.
This programme is a key component of the state’s broader strategy to build a digitally competent, future-proof civil service capable of delivering faster, smarter, and more efficient services to its citizens.
By Kera Okem
