Kano State Commissioner for Information, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, has announced a state initiative to develop a Hausa-language Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot aimed at making digital tools accessible to grassroots communities.
Speaking during the inaugural edition of the Digital Tech Policy Forum organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano, Dr. Kofar Mata said the chatbot would provide farmers, students, and traders with vital information on health, education, and commerce in their local language.
“This project will bring AI to our grassroots,” he said. “Farmers, students, and traders will be able to access vital information on health, education, and commerce in their own language.”
He also revealed that the Ministry would assign a permanent representative to the Forum and set up a committee to ensure that AI policy discussions align with state planning.
The Forum, held under the theme “Towards a National AI Policy,” gathered academics, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss ethical, governance, and infrastructural challenges shaping Nigeria’s digital landscape.
In his opening remarks, CITAD Executive Director, Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, said the initiative was intended to foster continuous dialogue between policymakers, academia, and civil society on emerging digital issues.
“Our goal is to ensure that technology policy in Nigeria is proactive, not reactive,” Ya’u said. “This Forum will bridge research and policy, ensuring innovations like AI are guided by ethics, inclusivity, and human-centered values.”
Ya’u also announced that the Forum would hold monthly sessions to address critical digital policy matters, stressing that a robust national AI policy is key to building public trust in technology-driven governance.
During the discussions, participants highlighted the absence of a national AI framework, infrastructure gaps, ethical risks, and concerns over data privacy and algorithmic bias as major challenges.
Dr. Hadiza Umar, Head of the Department of Computer Science at Bayero University, Kano, warned that the rapid adoption of AI technologies requires urgent policy interventions.
“AI is transforming sectors from education to health and agriculture, but without regulation, it can deepen inequality,” she said. “We need a roadmap that balances innovation with accountability.”
Engr. Rabi’u Haruna, former Chairman of the Kano Chapter of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), stressed the importance of collaboration among government, academia, and industry stakeholders.
“Policy without professional input will not work,” he said. “The government must consult experts to build an AI ecosystem that serves Nigerians, not exploits them.”
Dr. Sanah Abdullahi Mu’az of Bayero University’s Software Engineering Department cautioned against the misuse of AI in education.
“We are already seeing AI-enabled plagiarism among students,” she noted. “Universities must adopt clear AI-use policies to protect academic integrity while promoting responsible innovation.”
The Forum concluded with a consensus that Nigeria must move from being a passive consumer of foreign AI technologies to an active innovator and regulator in the global AI ecosystem.
“The future of AI in Nigeria depends on policies that focus not just on technology, but on people, trust, and shared prosperity,” Ya’u said.