Stakeholders at the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Public Service Week symposium have called for an overhaul of the public service to make it digital, performance-driven and citizen-centred, with measurable results as the benchmark for delivering the State’s ARISE Agenda.
At the event held in Uyo, the keynote Speaker, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Chris Ekong, described the public service as the principal institutional mechanism through which government translates policies, budgets, laws and development aspirations into outcomes for citizens.
Prof. Ekong said; “the success of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda would depend largely on the capacity, competence, discipline and performance of public servants,” urging a shift from bureaucratic rigidity to digital and performance-driven governance.
The Vice Chancellor recommended performance contracts across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, backed by targets, key performance indicators, deadlines and monitoring mechanisms.
He identified digital transformation as a pillar of reform, proposing e-office systems, digital citizen services, electronic document management and data-driven decision-making.
Prof. Ekong also highlighted artificial intelligence applications in policy analysis, revenue administration, procurement and fraud detection, stressing that “AI should augment rather than replace public servants.”
The Chairman of the occasion and immediate past Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, described the public service as the “engine room of governance,” calling for its repositioning to meet 21st-century demands.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Dean of Permanent Secretaries, Barr. Janet Daniel said the programme, approved by Governor Umo Eno, featured a media panel, road walk, thanksgiving service, free health checks and sporting activities.
During a panel discussion anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet, the Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; her predecessors, Elder Effiong Essien and Mrs. Ekerebong Umoh; and Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, reinforced the call for a public service.
The Head of Service charged civil servants to embrace innovation, saying; “the greatest and simplest innovation I am introducing is the policy I have tagged the ‘Zero Files on the Table Policy.”
Prof. Umoh said public servants were responsible for translating government policies into tangible outcomes, stressing that professionalism, competence and appropriate discretion were essential to effective service delivery.
He said; “One important quality of a professional is knowing when to exercise discretion and, where necessary, when to go beyond the rigid application of rules. This is one of the basic points Professor Chris Ekong emphasised, excessive bureaucracy and bureaucratic rigidity can prevent public servants from actualising important government objectives.”
Prof. Umoh advocated bureaucratic flexibility where policy implementation required it.
He said; “Professionals should know where and when to exercise discretion and, when necessary, depart from the rigid application of rules.”
Other discussants urged innovation, responsible engagement with AI, integrity, excellence and timely service delivery, while Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia commended Governor Eno for approving the programme.
The symposium themed “Repositioning the Public Service for Productivity in the 21st Century: Driving Service Excellence for a Sustainable Economy,” was attended by government officials, academics, former Heads of Service, Permanent Secretaries and other stakeholders.
