The Lagos State Government is pushing its communication managers to adopt artificial intelligence tools, arguing the technology can make government messaging faster and more accurate. Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso made the case after a five-day workshop in London that brought together senior public communication managers from Lagos and Plateau states.
Omotoso said AI could facilitate the dissemination of government information "more quickly, efficiently, and accurately," adding that it could also help government respond better to citizens' needs. The training, themed "Strategic Public Service Communication Dynamics: Empowering Public Sector Leaders," took place at Holiday Inn in Central London and covered practical applications of AI in government communications.
A strategic function, not an administrative one
The workshop examined how AI could be deployed to improve communication of government policies, programmes, initiatives and services, while also exploring citizen engagement, digital innovation and public trust. Participants worked as a cross-functional team to assess how emerging technologies could strengthen the way the Lagos State Government communicates with citizens.
Wale Oyeniyi, Chief Executive Officer of UK Conferences, said the programme came "at a critical moment of rapid technological change and evolving citizens' expectations." He argued public communication has moved beyond routine administration to become "a strategic pillar of effective governance, public trust, national security and socio-economic stability."
The training was designed to equip public-sector communication managers with practical knowledge, strategic insight and technology-enabled tools. It featured expert keynotes, hands-on laboratories, simulations, applied exercises and case scenarios tailored specifically to the Nigerian public-sector environment.
Practical training, not theory
Participants examined AI opportunities with particular attention to strategic planning, ethics, accuracy, transparency, accountability, professional judgment and preservation of public trust. They also worked with AI tools for research, communication planning, content development, message refinement, digital engagement and audience-focused communication.
Through simulations and applied exercises, participants explored how AI could improve professional workflows while retaining human oversight and institutional responsibility. The programme also addressed implementation and measurement, covering how AI-supported strategies could be integrated into institutional processes and how their impact could be assessed. The organisers said the approach offered a framework for moving from experimenting with AI tools to "responsible and measurable application" within government communication.
For communicators considering similar moves, the lessons are practical: AI is not a replacement for professional judgment, but it can handle the heavy lifting of research, drafting and audience analysis, freeing people to focus on strategy and oversight. The Lagos example also shows that adopting AI in government communication comes with requirements around transparency, accountability and human checks - the same demands that apply in corporate communications. As AI tools become standard across the sector, professionals who understand how to use them responsibly will be at an advantage. See AI for PR & Communications for more on the training available in this space. For those in public sector roles, AI for Government covers similar ground.
Why this matters for PR and communications professionals
The Lagos workshop treats AI as a professional tool with practical workflows, not an abstract trend. The emphasis on measurement and implementation is directly relevant beyond the public sector: these skills are the ones every communications team should be building. If you work in PR or communications, the takeaway is that AI adoption is no longer optional experimentation in communications teams, but an evaluated part of the role that comes with clear responsibilities around accuracy, transparency and public trust.
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