Over 5,000 delegates from across the globe have gathered in Abuja for the maiden edition of the International Civil Service Conference, aimed at fostering innovation, reform, and collaboration in public sector governance.
Declaring the event open, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, described the conference as a transformative platform rooted in the values of renewal, creativity, and bold leadership in governance. She emphasized that the civil service must evolve to become a driver of agile, accountable, and resilient governance.
“This conference is not just a gathering—it is a movement,” Walson-Jack said. “We are here to shift from plans to performance, from ideas to measurable impact. The civil service remains one of the greatest tools for national progress and global stability.”
The week-long conference features high-level roundtables, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signings, and strategic networking sessions designed to drive reform implementation and foster bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Walson-Jack described the event as a bold declaration that the era of “business as usual” in governance is over.
Also speaking at the opening, Dr. Joe Abah, Vice President and Country Director of DAI Nigeria, called on political leaders to reframe their view of civil servants. He argued that public officials should be seen as catalysts for development, not obstacles.
“If politicians continue to treat civil servants as a nuisance, they will remain poorly paid and underutilized, and the country will not move forward,” Abah stated.
In a related development, digital infrastructure provider Galaxy Backbone emphasized Nigeria’s readiness for full digital transformation in government services. A company representative revealed that ministries and agencies have been directed to complete their digital migration by December.
“Nigeria is prepared,” the representative said. “We have the infrastructure and technical expertise in place, and Galaxy Backbone is playing a pivotal role—not only in enabling digital operations but also in championing national data protection.”
The conference is also a key milestone in assessing the progress of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025). Stakeholders are using the platform to evaluate the successes and challenges of ongoing reforms, particularly those aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
The event marks Nigeria’s rising role in shaping civil service reform discourse in Africa and beyond, and sets the stage for broader partnerships that can unlock development opportunities through public sector innovation.
