FG Deploys Artificial Intelligence to Identify Poor Nigerians — Minister Yilwatda

Abuja, Nigeria  — In a bold step towards tackling poverty with technology, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify poor Nigerians, especially those residing in urban slums.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, revealed this during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Friday. According to the Minister, AI has played a pivotal role in expanding the National Social Register from 13 million to 19.7 million people, now capturing the realities of urban poverty beyond its previous focus on rural communities.

“To assist people, you need to identify them first,” Yilwatda said. “That’s why we began by validating and expanding the social register.”

Dr. Yilwatda explained that the updated social register was guided by a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the register more inclusive by adding the urban poor. The process leveraged advanced satellite imagery to map densely populated slum areas across cities. Data from telecom base stations was then analysed to trace mobile phone users within those mapped locations.

“We used AI to further verify individuals by assessing financial access and other social indicators,” the Minister added.

This integration of data science and humanitarian outreach marks a significant evolution in how social intervention programs are designed and delivered in Nigeria. The government says it is targeting 15 million households — an estimated 75 million people — with its poverty alleviation programmes.

“Nigeria has about 43 million households. By targeting 15 million and using an average household size of five, we estimate reaching around 75 million individuals,” Yilwatda explained.

The expansion of the social register and the innovative use of AI come amid growing calls for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in Nigeria’s social intervention schemes. Observers say that if effectively implemented, this technology-driven approach could become a game-changer in addressing systemic poverty and improving the allocation of public support.

The Ministry says the next steps involve collaboration with development partners, civil society, and community leaders to ensure that the AI-generated data is used responsibly and ethically to drive inclusive national development.

For further updates on poverty reduction initiatives and digital governance in Nigeria, stay tuned to our blog.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

VIDEO: AUCHI POLY LECTURER AMBUSHED, STRIPPED NAKED, ASSAULTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO SLEEP WITH A MARRIED WOMAN

Image
Auchi, Edo State – In a disturbing turn of events that has gripped social media and triggered national outrage, a lecturer at Auchi Polytechnic, Mr. Ehigie Timothy, of the Department of Statistics, was filmed naked and physically assaulted after being lured into what now appears to be a well-orchestrated ambush by a female neighbour and her husband, Mr. Aliyu Suleiman Lucky AKA "As E Dey Hot", not a student of the institution as previously speculated. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 3rd July 2025, raises serious concerns about the rising trend of mob justice, the legality of viral content, and the alleged attempted extortion of ₦3 million from the victim. What Really Happened? Contrary to earlier claims that the woman was a student of Auchi Polytechnic, verified voice notes now confirm she is a neighbour to Mr. Ehigie Timothy. According to the woman’s own words—captured in three viral audio messages—she admitted to working with her husband and some vigilante member...
Read more

Kenyan Governor Susan Kihika Sparks Controversy Over Giving Birth in the U.S.

Image
Nakuru, Kenya – 9th June 2025 Kenya’s Nakuru County Governor, Susan Kihika, has stirred a national conversation following her comments justifying why she chose to give birth in the United States instead of in her home country. Speaking in Kikuyu during a Madaraka Day celebration, Governor Kihika explained her decision, citing personal discomfort with being attended to by medical staff who work under her administration. “All doctors and nurses are under me. Did you really want me to lay on a table with the same doctors helping me deliver?” she asked the amused crowd, sparking both laughter and applause. The 51-year-old governor recently returned to Kenya after spending five months abroad, where she delivered twin babies. Her homecoming was met with celebrations from supporters, but her remarks have ignited intense backlash on social media and in political circles. Critics have accused the governor of trivialising the integrity of Kenya’s healthcare system and showing disregard for publi...
Read more

Khaby Lame Detained and Leaves U.S. Amid Trump’s Renewed Immigration Crackdown

Image
Las Vegas, Nevada – President Donald Trump’s tough stance on immigration enforcement took an unexpected celebrity turn last week when Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-born Italian social media sensation and the world’s most-followed TikTok influencer, was briefly detained by U.S. immigration officials. According to multiple eyewitnesses and sources close to the 24-year-old content creator, Khaby was taken aside by immigration agents during a routine check while attending a private tech and entertainment event in Las Vegas. Details surrounding the incident remain sparse, but reports confirm that he was held for several hours before ultimately deciding to leave the United States voluntarily. Khaby Lame rose to global fame for his signature style of silently mocking overly complicated life hacks with simple gestures and expressions, earning him more than 160 million followers on TikTok. His videos, characterised by universal humour and minimal dialogue, have made him a cross-cultural favourite ...
Read more