By Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria is set to host approximately 5,000 African Heads of Civil Service for a landmark conference commemorating African Public Service Day, celebrated annually on June 23. The event, themed “Rejuvenate, Innovate, and Accelerate,” aims to transform public service across the continent by promoting professional excellence, showcasing innovation, and stimulating policy dialogue.
According to Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, Head of Civil Service, the conference will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and recognition of excellence in public service. “Let us use this opportunity to learn, collaborate, recognise excellence, and re-commit to the ideals of public service that place the citizen at the centre,” she said, extending an open invitation to stakeholders.
The conference will feature a study tour for State Heads of Service, facilitating the exchange of reform ideas and innovative strategies to deepen federal-state collaboration in advancing the quality and integrity of public administration. The event will reflect Nigeria’s commitment to implementing its Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25), focusing on Capability Building, Performance Management, and Digitalisation.
By hosting this conference, Nigeria will demonstrate its leadership commitment to shaping Africa’s public service ecosystem, emphasizing accountability, innovation, and citizen responsiveness. With President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is poised to play a key role in driving Africa’s development agenda. The conference aligns with the 1994 Pan-African Conference of Ministers’ adoption of African Public Service Day, celebrated across the continent to honour public service values.
Mrs. Walson-Jack reaffirmed Nigeria’s optimism regarding the implementation of FCSSIP25, stating, “The Study Tour for the State’s Heads of Service will provide a valuable platform to exchange reform ideas and share innovative strategies, thereby deepening federal-state collaboration in advancing the quality and integrity of public administration.” This gathering of 5,000 African leaders presents an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its commitment to public service excellence, innovation, and citizen-centric governance. The conference outcomes are expected to drive transformation in public service delivery, ultimately benefiting citizens across the continent.
