Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Civil Service to embrace innovation not as an option but as an obligation.
“Our civil service must embrace innovation not as an option, but as an obligation. Evidence-based governance begins with accurate data and ends with measurable results. The time to act is now,” Tinubu charged.
The President stated this in his speech at the closing ceremony of the maiden International Civil Service Conference in Abuja on Thursday. He lauded Nigerian Civil Servants as the quiet architects of stability, innovation, and public trust.
He said their roles remain indispensable in modern governance, stressing that in the face of fast-evolving digital and economic landscape, the civil service must remain agile, future-ready, and results-driven.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to public service reform.
He described the civil service as the “engine” driving the Renewed Hope Agenda and the vehicle for delivering sustainable national development.
“This maiden conference is a bold step toward redefining governance in an era of rapid transformation. An innovative civil service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges,” President Tinubu said.
His words: “Your role in this transformation is not a supporting act — it is central to the delivery of our Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The President commended the ongoing reforms championed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and highlighted several key strides, including the digitalisation of government processes, human capital development initiatives, and the launch of Nigeria’s homegrown AI tool, Service-Wise GPT.
President Tinubu also commended the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme to transform the Public Service Institute of Nigeria into a global centre of excellence.
According to the President, such strategic collaborations are essential to building a civil service that is not only globally competitive but also responsive to the needs of Nigerians.
In a demonstration of his firm support for workers’ welfare, the President cited the approval of a new minimum wage, salary adjustments, and the implementation of the Pension Bond Scheme as social compacts that underscore his government’s appreciation of the sacrifices of public servants.
He further directed that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must prioritise data integrity and sovereignty, calling for the capture, protection and strategic publication of public sector data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
“Our civil service must embrace innovation not as an option, but as an obligation. Evidence-based governance begins with accurate data and ends with measurable results. The time to act is now,” he stated .
In her address of welcome, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering support and recognition of the centrality of the civil service in national transformation.
She said that his presence and strong words of affirmation at the conference have renewed the morale and mandate of public servants across the country. She assured the President that her office, in collaboration with reform-minded stakeholders, will not relent in accelerating the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).
She affirmed that digitalisation, performance management, and continuous learning remain key pillars in strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery across MDAs.
Mrs. Walson-Jack also restated that the civil service is not only ready to power the Renewed Hope Agenda but is determined to exceed expectations by embedding a culture of innovation, ethical leadership, and citizen-centred governance in the heart of public administration.
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