Yobe Govt Trains Top Civil Servants on Artificial Intelligence
By Ibrahim Umar,
Kanempress News,
1st, July,2025
In a landmark initiative aimed at revolutionizing public service delivery, the Yobe State Government, in partnership with the Biomedical Science Research and Training Center (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, has trained key government officials in artificial intelligence (AI). The training is part of BioRTC’s 5th Annual Summer School program, held at Brisk Point Hotel, Damaturu.
The intensive workshop was designed to equip Permanent Secretaries, Agency Heads, and Parastatal Leaders with modern AI competencies to enhance governance, streamline decision-making, and boost operational efficiency across state institutions.
Representing Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Head of Service, Alhaji Tonga Betara Bularafa, formally inaugurated the workshop. He described the event as a historic stride in transforming public administration in Yobe State.
“This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to preparing civil servants for the demands of the digital era,” Buni noted in his address.
“I commend BioRTC for championing this forward-looking program and urge all participants to implement the insights gained to elevate governance outcomes.”
The Governor also highlighted the state’s broader vision for innovation-driven governance, positioning digital transformation as a catalyst for sustainable development.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Mahmud Bukar Maina—Director of BioRTC and Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research, and Innovation—underscored the significance of integrating technology into governance.
“We are in the age of AI, and Yobe must transition from recovery to resilience by embracing innovation strategically,” he said.
“This training reaffirms our mission to apply science and technology to address real-world administrative challenges.”
Dr. Maina expressed appreciation to Governor Buni for his continued support of scientific advancement and acknowledged the pivotal role of the Secretary to the State Government in sustaining the Summer School initiative since its inception in 2021.
The workshop featured an internationally recognized AI expert with extensive experience in AI policy and regulation, including work in the United Kingdom. The expert emphasized the transformative potential of AI in creating transparent, data-driven, and citizen-centric governance systems.
