The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, has said that the civil service across Africa is at a critical crossroads due to inherited systems that are no longer adequate for present-day realities.
She made this known on Wednesday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the International Conference on Civil Service Reform, themed “Rejuvenate, Innovate and Accelerate.”
According to Walson-Jack, bureaucracy should not equate stagnation, and policy development, service delivery, and digital technology must be optimised to meet rising citizens’ expectations.
“Our civil service must be renewed in spirit, skills, and structure,” she emphasised.
“We must attract young talents, empower women and marginalized groups, and restore public trust through values-based service.
”The time for action is now. The climate is changing, resources are shrinking, and citizens are waiting,” she added.
The HCSF highlighted the importance of collaboration among civil service leaders, reform champions, policymakers, the private sector, and international development partners in addressing the challenges.
She noted that the conference provided a platform to showcase successful models, such as Morocco’s integrated digital identity system and other global best practices in public sector reform.
Walson-Jack disclosed that the Nigerian civil service was undergoing rejuvenation to effectively tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
She highlighted reforms already underway, including the automation of government processes and the transition to a paperless service through an enterprise content management system.
”The implementation of a performance management system linking individual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to national goals is a key milestone in service delivery improvement, she said.
She also identified the ongoing capacity-building efforts through the Public Service Institute of Nigeria and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
Addressing young professionals in the public sector, Walson-Jack said, “You are not just the future of public service; you are its present. Your creativity and conviction will determine the success of our transformation agenda.”
She thanked the sponsors and partners of the conference, urging participants to leave with a renewed commitment to drive change in the civil service.
“The civil service is not a relic of the past. It is the engine of our future and that engine must be rebuilt with bold ideas and inclusive purpose,” she added.
