Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across the public sector.
Speaking at the first quarter 2026 Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement in Abuja, Walson-Jack highlighted the successful transition to a paperless civil service in December 2025 as a major milestone in modernising government operations.
She explained that the digital shift enables faster decision-making, enhances accountability, and reduces delays associated with manual processes.
According to her, the introduction of a dedicated paperless portal now allows real-time tracking of documents and official correspondence across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The HoS said the reform agenda for 2026, themed “Sustaining Reforms, Deepening Excellence,” is focused on strengthening existing initiatives to deliver more consistent and citizen-centred outcomes. She noted that ongoing reforms include improved performance tracking across government institutions and the deployment of digital systems to streamline information management and service delivery.
Walson-Jack also disclosed that over 57,000 officers have been captured in an ongoing personnel audit and skills gap analysis designed to align workforce capacity with national priorities.
Other News
On staff welfare, she pointed to recent government approvals, including the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board Bill, 2026, and the introduction of an Exit Benefit Scheme, which provides eligible officers with a one-time payment equivalent to their final annual earnings after at least 10 years of service.
She commended President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for supporting reforms that are strengthening the Civil Service and improving service delivery.
Walson-Jack further announced plans for the 2026 International Civil Service Conference, expected to bring together over 5,000 stakeholders to discuss governance, institutional strengthening, and public sector innovation. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, citizens, and stakeholders, noting that reforms can only succeed when they translate into tangible improvements in people’s everyday interactions with public institutions.
Walson-Jack urged participants to actively engage in the forum, provide feedback, and contribute ideas that will help build a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-focused Civil Service.
Permanent Secretary, Ishiyaku Mohammed, described the engagement as a vital platform for dialogue between government institutions and stakeholders, stressing the importance of feedback in shaping responsive policies.
He urged participants, both physical and virtual, to actively contribute ideas and solutions that would strengthen institutional performance and rebuild public trust.
The Permanent Secretary expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce actionable recommendations to improve governance outcomes, emphasizing that sustained collaboration remains key to meeting national priorities and advancing effective service delivery in Nigeria.
