Insight Initiative Unveils ‘Amoye’ AI Chatbot to Help Osun Residents access LG Data with Ease

By Adedamola Odeyemi, Osogbo

The Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development has launched the second phase of its Open Local Government Project, OsunOpenLG 2.0, alongside the unveiling of a new digital tool — ‘Amoye’, a WhatsApp-based Artificial Intelligence chatbot designed to help citizens access verified local government information with ease.

Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday in Osogbo, the Executive Director of the Initiative, Mr. Jare Tiamiyu, described the launch as a milestone in the organisation’s efforts to promote transparency, civic engagement, and accountability at the grassroots level.

“Amoye is more than just technology; it is a digital extension of citizen engagement. Through it, residents can get instant answers to questions about local government funds, budgets, projects and public services,” he said.

According to Tiamiyu, the OsunOpenLG Project, which began in 2023, was created to bridge the communication gap between citizens and local government authorities. He noted that the first phase of the project trained 66 community advocates — including six persons with disabilities — who became ambassadors of transparency across various local councils in Osun State.

“Our work has shown that openness works best when it is a collective effort. The people now ask informed questions about how much their councils receive and how funds are used,” he added.

He further explained that the second phase, OsunOpenLG 2.0, would deepen community participation and expand technology integration. The new phase will also focus on capacity-building for local government officials and media aides to help them communicate effectively with citizens and improve information sharing. “Governance in this century requires digital literacy. Many local councils still lack basic ICT tools, and that’s a gap we intend to bridge,” Tiamiyu stated.

The Executive Director commended the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), implemented by LEAP Africa, for supporting the project since inception. He noted that their funding, mentoring, and technical guidance transformed OsunOpenLG from a civic idea into a statewide model of open governance.

On his part, Mr. Sodiq Yusuf, the Senior Communications Officer of the Initiative, said the new chatbot will not only provide verified information but also promote collaboration between citizens and elected officials.

“With ‘Amoye’, people can simply send a WhatsApp message and get answers on council allocations, project updates, or locations of health centres. It will also help us collect data on citizens’ concerns and guide future policy discussions,” he said.

Yusuf also revealed that the organisation would soon begin comprehensive training for all local government chairmen and their media aides once the legal framework on council leadership is settled. He said the training would equip them with communication and digital skills needed for transparent governance.

Tiamiyu concluded by reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to making transparency a culture in Osun State. “OsunOpenLG 2.0 is a collective mission to make governance work better for everyone. Let us keep opening the doors of our local governments, one conversation, one chatbot, and one citizen at a time,” he said.