The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has reaffirmed its strategic role in Nigeria’s governance transformation following its active participation in the 2025 International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja.
The Commission used the high-profile gathering to align its mandate under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 with the federal government’s renewed push for civil service reform, innovation, and accountability.
Themed “Innovation, Transformation, and Service Excellence”, the global conference drew over 5,000 delegates from more than 30 countries, offering a platform for civil service professionals, policymakers, and institutions to exchange ideas and strategies for driving sustainable reforms across the public sector.
In his keynote address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu placed the civil service at the heart of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, calling on civil servants to become champions of innovation and integrity.
“Civil servants, you are not just the backbone of effective administration across borders but the very essence of it,” Tinubu declared.
The President emphasized the urgent need for a data-driven, agile, and forward-looking public service, announcing plans for a comprehensive personnel audit and a nationwide skills gap analysis. These reforms, he said, are necessary to equip the public sector with the tools and talent to drive national development.
“We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally,” he added. “This will allow global benchmarking organizations to track our progress in real-time.”
These remarks closely align with the FRC’s core mandate under the FRA 2007—to ensure prudent fiscal management, data transparency, and accountability in government financial operations.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, urged a generational shift in the way public service is delivered, especially among younger professionals. She highlighted milestones under the ongoing Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025), including the automation of civil service processes and the rollout of “Service-Wise GPT,” a homegrown artificial intelligence tool designed to enhance efficiency.
“Business as usual is no longer acceptable,” she said, calling for a reinvigorated focus on innovation, inclusivity, and ethical governance.
Her remarks resonated with the FRC’s efforts to support credible public financial management and strengthen institutional accountability.
For the FRC, the conference was an opportunity to deepen inter-agency collaboration, expand partnerships with MDAs and development partners, and align Nigeria’s fiscal oversight systems with global best practices. The Commission reiterated its dedication to advancing reforms that ensure fiscal discipline, sustainable debt management, and efficient public service delivery.
The FRC’s participation in the conference reinforces its strategic role in Nigeria’s civil service transformation and demonstrates the continued relevance of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 in shaping a more transparent, accountable, and results-driven public sector.