The Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development has rolled out the second edition of its transparency-driven governance programme, Osun Open Local Government (OsunOpenLG 2.0), along with the launch of a digital innovation — a WhatsApp-based artificial intelligence chatbot named “Amoye.”
The event, held on Tuesday in Osogbo, brought together media representatives, civil society actors, and local government stakeholders, as the organization reaffirmed its commitment to advancing open governance and citizen inclusion across Osun State.
In his address, Executive Director of the Insight Initiative, Jare Tiamiyu, explained that the new phase of OsunOpenLG builds on earlier successes achieved under the 2023 pilot project, which was supported by the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), implemented by LEAP Africa.
Tiamiyu noted that local governments remain the most visible arm of governance yet often operate with limited public scrutiny. “Our goal is to ensure that citizens can easily access information on how their councils function, what they spend, and how they serve,” he said. “With OsunOpenLG 2.0, we are using both human and digital tools to make this possible.”
Since its inception, the initiative has been recognized for its innovative approach to civic participation. During the first phase, 66 community advocates, including six persons with disabilities, were deployed across Osun’s local governments to educate residents on transparency and accountability.
Through outreach in schools, markets, and town halls, the advocates engaged thousands of citizens directly and reached millions more online through reports and social media campaigns. The platform’s website, osunopenlg .com, has since become a trusted source for data on local government allocations and expenditures.
A major feature of this new phase is the introduction of “Amoye”, an AI-powered chatbot built to simplify access to public data. The WhatsApp-based tool allows users to ask civic questions such as “How much was allocated to my local government this month?” or “Where is my council secretariat located?” and get verified responses instantly.
Tiamiyu described Amoye as “a bridge between citizens and governance,” adding that it will serve not only as an information hub but also as a feedback system that collects insights from citizens to guide policy advocacy.
Beyond technology, the OsunOpenLG 2.0 project aims to broaden its impact by training local government officers, media practitioners, and civic actors on open data practices. The organisation also plans to track progress using indicators like public engagement levels, data requests, and improved communication from councils.
Expressing gratitude to partners and funders, the Executive Director called for continued collaboration to sustain open governance reforms in Osun State.
“Accountability is not the duty of government alone,” he said. “It is a shared responsibility. Through OsunOpenLG 2.0 and Amoye, we are empowering citizens to take part in shaping the governance that affects their daily lives.”
