Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria has taken a major step toward digital governance with the launch of SmartGov, an artificial intelligence–driven platform designed to enhance citizen engagement and simplify access to public services.
The platform, currently in its BETA phase and accessible at: https://smart.anambrastate.gov.ng, serves as a single digital gateway through which residents can access more than 31 government services anytime and from anywhere.
Powered by artificial intelligence, SmartGov enables citizens to interact with government through natural conversations rather than complex paperwork or bureaucratic procedures.
At the heart of the platform is NORA, an intelligent digital assistant trained on Anambra State government services, processes, and directories. NORA guides users to the correct service, requirements, or procedures, ensuring fast, accurate, and consistent interactions across government agencies.
Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, said SmartGov was built with citizens at its core.
“SmartGov is more than a service directory. It is an intelligent gateway that makes government interactions simple, fast, and reliable,” Agbata said.
He added that Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has consistently positioned technology as the backbone of governance under his “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” vision.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the ICT Agency, Angela Nwanodu, the launch further strengthens Anambra State’s leadership in digital transformation.
The development follows the state’s recent recognition at the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), where Anambra won four national awards, including Best Overall Performing State in Digital Technology Development and Best State in Human Capital Development.
SmartGov currently covers eight major service categories: Taxes and Revenue, Land and Property, Business Services, Health, Education, Security and Complaints, Transport and Vehicles, and Culture and Tourism. Through a simple three-step process, users can ask questions in plain language, receive AI-driven guidance, and complete transactions online, via WhatsApp, or through voice-enabled access.
With 24-hour availability and multilingual support in English and Igbo, the platform removes traditional barriers such as office hours, physical location, and unnecessary bureaucracy. Services range from business-related inquiries and tax payments to vehicle documentation and locating nearby health facilities.
The BETA launch also showcases Anambra’s technical innovation by integrating AI, voice-enabled access, and WhatsApp connectivity into a unified system supported by a continuously updated government service directory. Officials say this positions the state as a national reference point for citizen-focused e-government in Nigeria.
As part of the BETA phase, SmartGov includes a dedicated feedback channel to support continuous improvement. Citizens are encouraged to submit feedback via https://smart.anambrastate.gov.ng/feedback, alongside existing channels such as the Grievance Redress Mechanism and official email platforms. NORA is also available to guide users through the feedback process where necessary.
“As we refine SmartGov during this BETA phase, we invite Ndi Anambra to explore the platform, use it actively, and share feedback to help us make it even better,” Agbata said.
With SmartGov now live, Anambra State is ushering in a new era of AI-enabled, citizen-centric governance, advancing the governor’s Smart Mega City vision and reinforcing the role of innovation as a core pillar of public service delivery.
Olusola Akintonde