The Anambra State government has introduced NORA, an artificial intelligence-powered digital assistant intended to simplify how residents interact with public services. The Anambra State Information and Communication Technology Agency presented the tool at its Light House facility in Awka on Thursday. According to Punch, the initiative includes a digital handbook designed to centralize information and improve engagement between the state and its citizens. These platforms serve as a unified gateway, linking businesses and residents to live ministry websites and various service areas across the region.
Chukwuemeka Agbata, the chief executive of the ICT agency, explained that the system is the product of twelve months of development focused on capturing the specific context of Anambra’s institutions and population. He described NORA as a state-owned resource meant to provide verified information and assist users in navigating available digital services. Agbata stated that the project aims to remove bureaucratic hurdles by offering a single digital point of contact for public institutions. He added that the tools are intended to strengthen transparency and accelerate the shift toward technology-driven governance.
The assistant operates continuously and supports communication in English, Igbo, and Pidgin, a feature Agbata noted helps broaden accessibility. He detailed that the system can assist users in finding educational and medical facilities, accessing state programs, and learning how to settle taxes and levies. During a demonstration reported by Punch, the AI responded to queries and navigated the digital handbook. It also referred users to human operators for sensitive issues, such as reports of child abuse.
Agbata characterized the launch as part of a wider effort to make technology a common utility rather than a privilege. He cited the laying of over 700 kilometers of fiber optic cable and the establishment of the Anambra Cloud as foundational steps. He acknowledged that the system is still evolving and will undergo updates to enhance its utility. Residents may access the assistant via and the handbook at The agency also directs users to the SmartGov portal for additional services.