Federal Government and Meta launch GovGuide Nigeria AI chatbot to provide multilingual access to public services across the country

The Federal Government has partnered with Meta Platforms Inc. to launch GovGuide Nigeria, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to improve access to government services across the country in multiple local languages.

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The GovGuide Nigeria AI Chatbot was unveiled following the presentation of Meta’s Economic Impact Report in Nigeria and was announced in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

According to the ministry, the platform was developed through collaboration between Meta, the ministry itself, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and local tech firm Publica AI.

The chatbot is designed as a multilingual voice and text system that provides information on government services through a web-based interface.

It supports English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, allowing wider access for citizens across different regions and literacy levels.

The ministry said the initiative demonstrates how open-source artificial intelligence can be applied to improve governance and public service delivery.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the project aligns with efforts to strengthen access to public services using emerging technologies.

He said, “The GovGuide initiative reflects our commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence to make government services and information more accessible and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.”

Tijani added that deploying AI tools in local languages would improve transparency and strengthen citizen engagement with government institutions.

He also noted that the initiative would support productivity growth and contribute to Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

Meta’s Head of Public Policy, Sade Dada, said open-source AI remains a key driver of innovation and economic growth, describing GovGuide Nigeria as a practical example of its application.

She said the chatbot was built using Meta’s open-source AI models, including Llama, and developed by Publica AI to serve both urban and rural users.

“GovGuide Nigeria is a voice and text AI assistant in English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba that gives every Nigerian, including rural and low-literacy users, easier access to information on government services,” she said.

Dada added that the project shows how open technologies can support local innovation and empower developers across Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of Publica AI, Ignatius Willie, described the platform as a step towards transforming how citizens interact with government institutions.

He said, “Today is not just a product launch. It is a step towards democratising how Nigerians engage with their government.”

Willie added that the chatbot was developed through collaboration with government agencies and language contributors across Nigeria.

The Federal Government said GovGuide Nigeria forms part of broader efforts to deepen digital inclusion and improve service delivery through technology-driven solutions.