In an important address at the maiden International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu underscored the vital role of the Nigerian civil service as the backbone of effective administration. Speaking on Thursday during the opening of the conference, part of the 2025 Civil Service Week organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of placing the right individuals with the right skills in positions to enhance public service efficiency.
“The Civil Service is not just the backbone of administration but the essence of it,” President Tinubu stated. He described civil servants as the “quiet architects of stability, innovation, and public trust,” highlighting their pivotal role in delivering public goods through economic cycles and constitutional transitions.
To promote enhanced capabilities within the civil service, President Tinubu announced a comprehensive Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis across the Federal Civil Service. He urged relevant stakeholders to prioritize the timely completion of this audit to facilitate targeted reforms that would lead to a more agile, competent, and responsive civil service.
With a theme of “Rejuvenate, Innovate & Accelerate,” the conference aims to align Nigeria’s civil service with global best practices and address the challenges posed by technological advancements. President Tinubu noted, “An innovative Civil Service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.”
In line with his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants, President Tinubu pointed out recent initiatives such as the new national minimum wage and the Pension Bond Scheme aimed at boosting workforce morale.
Furthermore, the President emphasized the importance of data gathering and management by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, declaring, “Accurate, secure, and sovereign data is the lifeblood of every reform we pursue.” He called on agencies to ensure rigorous data capture, safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and share it responsibly for public benefit.
President Tinubu commended Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, for her leadership in organizing the conference and her efforts in the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025.
International partners, including the United Nations, the Government of the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, were acknowledged for their continued support in developing Nigeria’s public service.
The conference received goodwill messages from various dignitaries, underscoring its goal of transforming the civil service into a model of innovation and efficiency.
As Nigeria strives to lead Africa, Walson-Jack reiterated the necessity of a progressive civil service, stating, “If Nigeria must lead Africa, then our Civil Service must lead the way.”
This call for transformation and modernization within the civil service marks a pivotal step in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians.