His Excellency, the Kano State Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, declared open a five day training for information officers working at the federal ministries, agencies and Departments of Governmemt, which commenced today in Kano.
The Governor, who was represented by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has stressed that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming public sector communication, its use must be guided by professionalism, ethics, and human judgment to preserve public trust.
Waiya made the remarks on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, at the opening of a five-day executive training on “Strategic Communication and the Dimension of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Public Sector Communication,” themed “Communicating with Intelligence,” held at the Dangote Business School, Bayero University Kano (BUK).
Addressing participants drawn from Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), academics, communication experts, and other stakeholders, the Commissioner described the training as timely, noting that AI is rapidly reshaping how governments draft, translate, disseminate, and evaluate public information.
According to him, institutions that embrace AI stand a better chance of strengthening citizen engagement and improving service delivery, while those that fail to adapt risk falling behind in an increasingly digital world.
He explained that the theme, “Communicating with Intelligence,” carries a dual meaning, highlighting both the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence and the importance of human intelligence, sound judgment, and professional ethics in public communication.
Waiya noted that although AI can significantly improve content creation, translation, and audience analysis, it cannot replace human responsibility in verifying facts, assessing consequences, or ensuring accountability.
“A communication error in the private sector may become a business problem, but a communication error in government is a public trust issue. Once public trust is damaged, rebuilding it is often difficult and costly,” he said.
The Commissioner disclosed that under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs has established a Digital Multimedia Department to enhance digital visibility, promote knowledge and skills in emerging technologies such as AI, document government programmes, improve public information management, and combat misinformation and disinformation in real time.
He added that the ministry has also organised several capacity-building programmes for information officers to equip them with digital communication skills, reaffirming the government’s commitment to continuous training in response to the demands of modern technology.
Despite acknowledging the numerous benefits of AI, Waiya identified several challenges associated with its growing use. These include the spread of misinformation and deepfakes, declining public trust in digital content, privacy concerns, algorithmic bias and discrimination, reduced human interaction, ethical and accountability issues, job displacement, and cybersecurity threats.
He called on academics, researchers, and communication professionals to intensify efforts towards promoting the responsible use of AI while maintaining a healthy balance between technological innovation and human creativity. According to him, overdependence on AI could weaken critical thinking, reading culture, and intellectual discourse if not properly managed.
Welcoming participants, particularly those from outside Kano State, Waiya expressed confidence that the workshop would enrich public sector communication and contribute to more effective governance. He thereafter formally declared the five-day executive training open.