BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation, has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that provides information on fiscal and public finance data.
The chatbot was launched on Thursday during the Lagos edition of the Open Data Day 2025.
The event hosted by BudgIT Foundation took place in Lagos.
The AI-powered chatbot, christened “Bimi”, is a word in Yoruba language, which means “ask me”.
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The chatbot was designed to enhance
access to budgetary information, public finance insights, and real-time responses to citizens on socio-economic data.
Speaking during the launch, Nancy Odimegwu, BudgIT’s communications associate, said the initiative will “bridge the divide between government transparency and public comprehension”.
Odimegwu said the tool enables every Nigerian to easily access the essential information needed for making informed decisions.
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“It also responds quickly to questions about government policies, public services, and governance updates, provides timely access to microeconomic and macroeconomic data for informed decision-making, and offers courses and modules on public financial management, civic technologies, and governance,” Odimegwu said.
Also speaking on the initiative, Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s global director, said the chatbot is beyond a technological tool but a platform for fostering accountability and enhancing transparency in governance.
“By leveraging artificial intelligence, BudgIT has created a tool that simplifies the complexities of government operations,” Onigbinde said.
“Bimi provides a user-friendly gateway to otherwise opaque government data, making it easier for Nigerians to demand transparency and hold leaders accountable.
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“This is not just about technology; it’s about equipping citizens with the knowledge and tools they need to demand accountability from the government.”
During the event, participants test run the chatbot with requests relating to government expenditure.
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