From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the opening of the maiden International Civil Service Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, June 25, Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, called for an urgent transformation of civil services worldwide to address 21st-century challenges.
Speaking to a global audience of civil servants, policymakers, and reform advocates, she stressed that traditional public institutions must evolve rapidly to remain relevant. “This conference is a gateway to reimagining public service for a rapidly changing world,” Walson-Jack declared.
“The systems we inherited were forged in a different era, yet today we face unprecedented challenges—from digital disruption and climate shocks to pandemics and the rising demand for equity and inclusion. We must respond with renewed energy and bold innovation.”
The conference, themed *Rejuvenate, Innovate, and Accelerate*, is a critical agenda for survival, she noted. “Rejuvenation means renewing the spirit, skills, and structure of the civil service. Innovation demands that bureaucracy must not mean stagnation; we must rethink how policies are made and services delivered. Acceleration is essential because time is no longer a luxury—citizens are waiting, climates are changing, and resources are limited.”
Walson-Jack highlighted Nigeria’s reform efforts as a model, citing the automation of government processes through an Enterprise Content Management System and the introduction of a Performance Management System linking individual goals to national priorities. “These are not mere aspirations; they are deliverables,” she affirmed, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to digitalisation and leadership development.
Organised in partnership with the Global Government Forum UK, the conference brings together leaders from Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond to share best practices. Walson-Jack urged cross-border collaboration, stating, “Together, we will explore new ideas, share innovations, and inspire lasting reform. Across borders, we are united by a common goal: building public institutions that truly serve.”
Addressing young civil servants, she said, “You are not the future of public service. You are its present. Your creativity, courage, and conviction will define whether we succeed in rejuvenating, innovating, and accelerating the transformation we seek.”
The conference agenda covers digital innovation, workforce modernisation, climate-responsive governance, and citizen engagement, reflecting the multifaceted demands on governments. Walson-Jack concluded, “This conference is a declaration that business as usual is no longer acceptable. It is a signal that we are ready to rejuvenate, to innovate, and to accelerate.”