NiDCOM Launches AI, Emergency Call Lines For Nigerians Abroad
Oru Leonard
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has initiated its Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant and emergency call lines, to facilitate efficient communication with Nigerians abroad, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic .
In a statement,the Head of Media and Public Relations of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the AI assistant or chatbot, is an automated messaging solution that encourages natural language processing.
“Its algorithms (a set of instructions or codes designed to carry out a specific task) have been deliberately developed to assist Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerians in general to access valuable information.
In addition, the chatbot will always be available round the clock to provide quick and timely information to Nigerians pertaining inquiries about NiDCOM or the COVID-19 pandemic or any other necessary information”, he stated.
The Artificial Intelligence technology innovation put forward by the Commission’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration initiative to ensure Nigerians get reliable information, especially during this pandemic as the world remains on lockdown.
Balogun also noted that the chatbot will help Nigerians, anywhere in the world to obtain necessary information with speed and up-to-date news on various issues of national interest.
The AI assistant promises to be easy to operate and accessible via smart phones and other digital devices such as Personal Computers (PCs), Tablets and Desktops.
Meanwhile, NiDCOM has provided emergency lines for which Nigerians abroad can contact the Commission as +1234 222 2161
+1 888-644-2372.
The statement noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will give necessary directive to the missions on the next steps to be taken in regards to Nigerians stranded abroad.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, over 2,000 Nigerians have expressed their willingness to leave their host countries to come home following the pandemonium caused by the Corona Virus.
Most of the applicants seeking to return home are not Nigerians resident abroad, but Nigerians who travelled for one reason or the other and got stranded
The AI assistant and emergency call lines are ready to go live soon via various messaging platforms.
