The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, says Nigeria now has a new curriculum that includes artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
This is part of the Nigerian government’s drive to digitally transform the public service system.
Dr. Arabi made this revelation while presenting a research paper on Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Adoption in the Nigerian Public Service at the first Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Conference and Training (AIBIC – Abuja 2025), organized by Havel Corporate Concept Limited.
“The Government remains committed to creating a digital public service for school children to operate and manage responsibly. Policies and programs have been put in place to enable them to effectively enter the field of technologyHe said.
Dr. Arabi saidNigeria now has an e-government master plan to enhance the use of technology.
“School children should get into technology. Policies and programs have been developed for them. We have a new approach that supports the adoption of AI, creating a space where they will be safe in the use of technology“.
“This initiative began in 2004 within the framework of the National Strategy for Public Service Reform, with the aim of fully digitizing the public service. Significant progress has been made in the digitization of public financial management, which is now handled entirely through paperless processes in all administrative development agencies.
“By the end of December 2025, all ministries are expected to have their activities fully digital. Between 2002 and 2003, the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to deepen the adoption of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. Today, Nigeria has an e-government master plan.”Dr. Arabi explained
He stressed that the strategy aims to improve transparency, accountability, combat corruption, and enhance the effectiveness and quality of public service.
“More than 10 ministries have gone completely paperless, and we hope others will join before the end of the year. He said.
CEO of Havel Corporate Concept Limited, Dr. Ahmed Badanga, stressed the importance of combining artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, noting that “It creates smart, secure and transparent systems across industries.
He said the conference also aimed to examine legislation, regulatory frameworks and ongoing draft laws related to artificial intelligence in Nigeria.
As part of this initiative, the AI Club for Nigerian Schools was launched to empower students as ethical digital citizens, through pilot programs approved by the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT-SEB).
Ms Florence Winigheim, Director of Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at FCT UBEB, said the formation of AI clubs in secondary schools will allow students to engage in extra-curricular digital learning while connecting with their peers and teachers.
The event saw the unveiling of the first beneficiaries of the AI School Project, with 30 students from Wuse Zone 3 Middle Schools and Wuse 2 Government Day Secondary Schools, Abuja.
Awards were also presented to innovators, policy makers and companies pushing forward AI technology in Nigeria.
