…As FG Strives Towards a World-Class Public Service
By Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to officially declare open the maiden edition of the International Civil Service Conference, taking place this week in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The landmark event is expected to attract over 5,000 delegates from across Africa and around the world. It signals a major milestone in Nigeria’s leadership in driving public sector transformation on the continent.
With the theme “Rejuvenate, Innovate & Accelerate!”, the conference will convene heads of civil services, policy experts, development partners, and representatives of international organizations to explore cutting-edge approaches to governance, accountability, and sustainable development within the public service.
Addressing journalists during a world press conference ahead of the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, described the conference and the upcoming African Public Service Week (scheduled for June 25–26 in Abuja) as a “transformative moment” for public service in Africa.
She noted that Nigeria is proud to host this historic gathering, which reinforces the country’s commitment to promoting innovation, collaboration, and excellence in service delivery.
“I also take this moment to express the heartfelt appreciation of the Civil Service to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support for the implementation of far-reaching reforms in the Federal Civil Service. We are especially grateful for his acceptance to declare the conference open and attend the Rewards and Recognition Awards Ceremony,” she stated.
President Tinubu, in his keynote address, is expected to reaffirm Nigeria’s dedication to strengthening institutions, enhancing transparency, and building a digitally driven, professional civil service aligned with modern governance standards.
Mrs. Walson-Jack also disclosed that a recent study tour to Singapore was part of the preparatory efforts aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for global relevance and excellence.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she explained.
Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the study tour involved 20 State Heads of Service. It was designed to benchmark international best practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery framework.
“Singapore was selected because of its global reputation for excellence in public service. The visit allowed participants to interact with both public and private sector institutions, compare administrative practices, and gain valuable insights into effective governance models,” she added.
She revealed that the second phase of the tour, involving the remaining 17 Heads of Service, will take place later this year.
According to her, the tour was not only an eye-opener but also a major capacity-building initiative. She noted that since returning, several states have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in the areas of capability development and digital transformation.
As part of the African Public Service Week, Nigeria will host a reciprocal study tour for international delegates, who will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will witness firsthand our digitization efforts, performance management systems, and other key reforms driving transformation in our civil service. We hope their experience here will serve as an inspiration for similar initiatives in their home countries,” she said.
The conference will feature high-level plenaries, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. It will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and showcasing successful reform models from across the continent and beyond.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr. Deborah Odoh, emphasized the ambition to build a world-class civil service.
“Our vision is to have a world-class service, and I must commend the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, for her exemplary leadership. Since assuming office in August, she has not just kept the service moving, but has driven it forward with great momentum.
“A number of incredible new initiatives have been introduced, many of which you are already aware of. As we celebrate this year’s Civil Service Week, we have every reason to be grateful and hopeful. Our desire is that, together, we will continue to make the difference needed to build the Nigeria of our dreams.”
