Lagos State Government Uses AI to Translate State Laws into Yoruba

Finally, we are beginning to see the benefits of AI that the ordinary person can relate to.

Lagos State is taking a significant step to ensure its laws are accessible to everyone. The Lagos State Law Reform Commission has launched a groundbreaking initiative to translate the state’s laws into Yoruba using artificial intelligence (AI).

Major Highlights

• Workshop Launch: A three-day workshop themed “Unlocking AI Powered Translation: Enhancing Access to Lagos State Laws in Indigenous Languages” has been organised.

• Government Support: The initiative is backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with Jubril Gawat, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media, announcing the project.

• Focus on Yoruba: Yoruba, the region's language widely spoken in Lagos, is the primary language for this translation effort.

English can be a barrier to understanding the laws that govern Lagosians. By translating these laws into Yoruba, this initiative ensures that everyone, regardless of their English proficiency, can comprehend and follow the state’s legal requirements. (Read More)

KINI BIG DEAL (Why Does this matter)

For many Lagosians (I don’t mean residence), legal language can be complex and inaccessible (I can safely say this applies to everyone, except you graduated from Law school 😆 ). Translating laws into Yoruba ensures that more people can understand their rights and responsibilities, thereby promoting better adherence to legal standards and fostering a more informed citizenry.

This initiative not only bridges the language gap but also empowers local communities by making legal information more relatable and easier to comprehend. Hopefully, there’s no more “I did not know that“ on the list of excuses after an arrest. 😉