The Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development has launched the second phase of its flagship open governance programme — the Osun Open Local Government Project (OsunOpenLG 2.0) — alongside the unveiling of a new WhatsApp-based Artificial Intelligence chatbot, “Amoye.”
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the organisation, Mr. Jare Tiamiyu described the twin initiatives as “a celebration of vision, resilience and collective commitment to good governance in Osun State.”
According to him, OsunOpenLG was conceived in 2023 to bridge the gap between citizens and local government authorities, making governance simpler, more transparent and accessible to all.
“Local governments are the first point of contact for citizens, yet they are often the least understood and least transparent,” he said. “Through OsunOpenLG, we aim to strengthen accountability and make public information accessible to everyone.”
The initiative, supported by the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) and implemented by LEAP Africa, focuses on four pillars: civic engagement, accountability, grassroots development and good governance.
Milestones from the First Phase
During the first phase, the organisation trained and deployed 66 community advocates across Osun’s local governments, including six persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity in governance engagement. These advocates held outreach sessions in markets, schools, mosques, churches and town squares — gathering feedback and educating citizens about their rights to public information.
The project’s website, www.osunopenlg.com, became a go-to source for financial transparency, regularly publishing FAAC allocations and local government expenditure data. The simplified charts and infographics helped citizens “follow the money” and better understand how funds flow to their councils.
Through these efforts, over 2,100 people were directly engaged across 24 local government areas, with an additional 1,210 providing feedback and more than two million others reached indirectly via online and social media channels.
Introducing “Amoye” — An AI Civic Assistant
The highlight of the OsunOpenLG 2.0 launch is Amoye, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot designed to provide instant access to verified civic information.
With Amoye, users can ask questions such as “How much was my local government allocated this month?” or “Where is my council headquarters?” and receive real-time, accurate answers. The platform also provides information on local government roles, health facilities, and budget allocations, and connects users to relevant reports.
The Executive Director explained that while Amoye leverages artificial intelligence, it is intended to complement, not replace, human engagement.
“Amoye is more than technology; it is a digital extension of citizen participation,” he said. “It helps us collect data on citizens’ most common questions and use that insight to guide government reforms and policy discussions.”
What’s Next for OsunOpenLG 2.0
The second phase of the project will deepen community participation and integrate local government officials and their media aides into the initiative. Training, monitoring and regular publication of fiscal reports will continue, ensuring that transparency becomes a sustained culture rather than a campaign.
The organisation also pledged to use data to track the number of chatbot users and councils improving their communication, ensuring accountability to partners and funders.
In closing, the Executive Director expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including community advocates, media partners, and the people of Osun State, for their support.
“OsunOpenLG 2.0 is a collective mission to make governance work better for everyone,” he said. “Together, we can build a state where openness becomes our shared culture — one conversation, one chatbot, and one citizen at a time.”
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