Communications Minister advocates technologically empowered Civil Service

Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has emphasised the pivotal role of a technologically proficient and empowered workforce in fostering the development of a government that is not only more efficient but also more effective.

Recognising the significance of digital skills and capabilities, Dr. Tijani underscored the transformative impact they can have on the overall functionality and performance of government operations.

Tijani delivered his insights during the inaugural session of ‘DevsInGovernment’, an event organised by the Ministry of Communications in partnership with Galaxy Backbone. The gathering, tailored for technologists and tech enthusiasts within the Civil Service of the Federation, revolved around the theme ‘Tech, Technology, and Transformation.‘

The minister’s remarks illuminated the intersection of technology and government, highlighting their collective potential for ushering in transformative changes.

According to the minister, the Community of Practice (COP) is specifically tailored for ICT professionals and technology enthusiasts within the Civil Service. The primary objective of this initiative is to cultivate a digitally empowered civil service, aligning with the broader goal of enhancing the nation’s prosperity through technological advancement.

“#DevsInGovernment is a platform that will allow the civil servants who run technology in government to collaborate, share constraints, access resources, and build solutions, and at today’s event we already saw examples of this coming to life,” the minister wrote on X.

Reflecting on his participation in the meeting, Dr. Tijani expressed that the depth and quality of the discussions renewed his optimism regarding the commitment and dedication of the nation’s technical workforce.

He emphasised their collective efforts in working towards the greater good, particularly in the context of investing in and constructing digital public infrastructure.

“This is the start of a re-energisation and upliftment of the technical workforce in government with a broader goal of impacting how we serve our citizens. A big thank you to all who came out today and I know that as we commit to this journey, we will transform our processes to deliver clear impacts on government services,” he said.

Recognising the pivotal role of technology in reshaping the public sector, the minister underscored the ministry’s commitment to establishing a dedicated hub. This hub will serve as a focal point for technologists to conceive innovative ideas, develop them into tangible solutions, and receive essential support from the government.

The initiative aims to foster a culture of innovation within the public sector, promoting the collaborative efforts of technologists to drive positive transformation.

“President Bola Tinubu has given us the mandate to ensure that we make government services more efficient and accessible through the use of technology.

“But the reality is that we cannot do that without a technological workforce. We need people who understand how to build technology and how to maintain it to be able to achieve that objective,” Tijani said.

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During a panel session, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Faruk Yabo, emphasised the critical need for an enabling environment, characterised by supportive policies and regulatory frameworks, to drive development across various sectors.

Illustrating this commitment to technological advancement, Yabo highlighted a significant milestone: in June, the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first ministry to undergo complete digitization.

Abdul-Malik Suleiman, the acting managing director of Galaxy Backbone, emphasised the foundational role of fostering communities of professionals who collaborate and share ideas in achieving success in digital transformation.

Recognising the power of collective purpose, Suleiman highlighted the importance of creating environments where like-minded professionals can unite to drive innovation and contribute to the broader goals of digital advancement.

Suleiman commended the minister for establishing a community of professionals poised to be the vanguards of technology in the 21st century within the public sector. He underscored the significance of ‘DevsInGovernment,’ highlighting its role as a platform for IT professionals to progress through various stages of learning, ultimately contributing to the creation of a transformative public service.