NOA unveils AI assistant, expands language access to boost citizen engagement

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has unveiled an Artificial Intelligence-powered virtual assistant named CLHEEAN, aimed at improving public access to accurate and timely information on government policies, programmes, and initiatives. The virtual assistant, which is accessible via the NOA website, is part of efforts by the agency to modernise communication between the government and citizens. […]

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has unveiled an Artificial Intelligence-powered virtual assistant named CLHEEAN, aimed at improving public access to accurate and timely information on government policies, programmes, and initiatives.

The virtual assistant, which is accessible via the NOA website, is part of efforts by the agency to modernise communication between the government and citizens.

Speaking during the launch, the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the innovation aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda, which seeks to promote transparency and citizen engagement.

He said while CLHEEAN is currently available in English, plans are underway to enable it to communicate in multiple Nigerian languages to ensure inclusivity across the country’s diverse population.

He added that the launch of CLHEEAN is part of NOA’s broader digital transformation drive, which includes the upgrade of its communication platforms and the planned commissioning of new television and radio studios to enhance the dissemination of government messages.

The agency also expanded its capacity to translate strategic audio-visual materials into multiple Nigerian languages.

It said the new technology can now translate content into 20 languages within two hours, with plans to increase the number to 50 languages by the end of July.

The initiative is targeted at engaging over 35 million members of trade and artisanal associations across the country, including farmers, traders, and artisans, many of whom communicate in indigenous languages.

NOA said its presence in all 774 local government areas enables it to deploy these translated materials effectively to grassroots communities.

The multilingual strategy supports the federal government’s value reorientation agenda, which seeks to promote national unity and ensure that citizens receive clear and culturally relevant information about government programmes and policies.