FactCheckAfrica has trained more than 500 young people, journalists, civic actors, human rights advocates, lecturers, students, nonprofit founders and community leaders across four Southwest states on Artificial Intelligence fundamentals, digital literacy and citizen accountability through its Digital Democracy Lab project supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Catalyst Grant.
The AI Fundamentals Workshops, held in Ibadan, Osogbo, Ado-Ekiti and Akure over several weeks, were designed to deepen public understanding of emerging AI tools and demonstrate how they can aid civic participation, improve public oversight and combat information pollution. Although conceived as introductory sessions, the initiative has already inspired active citizen-led accountability efforts across the region.
One of the strongest impact stories emerged from the Osogbo session, where participants formed thematic accountability clusters focusing on sectors such as health, education, agriculture, youth and sports, works and infrastructure, and technology. These clusters have since begun reviewing state budget lines, tracking inconsistencies, and drafting questions to be submitted to relevant ministries—an approach that has now been replicated across the other states.
In Osun State, a youth advocate and workshop participant, Joseph Adebayo, launched an independent civic action immediately after the training. “We had an engagement during the workshop, and I felt we needed to push it further,” he said. “I drafted a petition for young people to sign. Once we reach 100 signatures, we’ll attach it to a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Youth. This training gave us the courage to ask questions.” His effort has since motivated others across the Southwest to initiate similar monitoring activities within their areas of interest.
Project Lead of the Digital Democracy Lab, Lukman Adeoti, said the sessions are reshaping how young people interact with governance in the digital age. He noted that the workshops are equipping communities with the tools they need to demand accountability and track public spending more confidently. Several youth collectives have also signalled interest in joining the forthcoming Youth AI Literacy Network, a regional hub that will promote collaboration and innovation around digital civic engagement.
Participants were exposed to practical exercises, including analysis of budget and expenditure documents from Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States, as well as the use of AI-assisted verification tools. Many attendees said this was their first time examining an actual state budget. “I had never seen a state budget before this training, talk less of knowing how to analyze it,” said Amodu Afusat, a participant from Ondo State living with a disability. “Now I understand where to look, what to question, and what to track.”
FactCheckAfrica says the project has now entered its next phase, which will include intensive bootcamps and the region’s first Youth AI Forum, where civic-tech innovations developed by participants and partner communities will be showcased.
Share this
