Nigeria is set to host the historic inaugural International Civil Service Conference.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack announced this while reeling out the activities for the 2025 Nigeria Africa Public Service day and Nigeria Civil Service Week in Abuja, Nigeria.
She said the events represent a defining moment in the ongoing journey to reposition the Nigerian Civil Service as a 21st-century engine for national development, regional and international leadership.
According to her, in alignment with Agenda 2063 of the African Union, Nigeria commemorates the day with a week-long series of events to celebrate achievements and stimulate forward-looking policy dialogue.
“The African Public Service Day was adopted at the 1994 Pan-African Conference of Ministers in Tangier, Morocco. It is celebrated across the continent on the 23rd of June to honour public service values, promote professional excellence, and showcase public sector innovation”. She stated.
The Head of Civil Service noted that the International Civil Service Conference, a transformative event, themed “Rejuvenate, Innovate & Accelerate!”, will convene public service leaders, reformers, and stakeholders from across Africa and the world to share insights, promote innovation, and build stronger governance systems adding that it is a platform for change and progress.
She also announced that a total of 5,000 delegates and participants are expected at the International Civil Service Conference, which will serve as a premier platform for: Cross-border knowledge exchange on reform practices, Digital transformation and the adoption of innovative technologies in governance, Public-Private engagements and partnerships, Institutional collaboration across national and continental boundaries, Citizen-centred service delivery and performance-driven leadership.
“Hosting the ICSC directly expresses Nigeria’s commitment to the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25), with its core pillars of Capability Building, Performance Management, and Digitalisation. It also aligns with key provisions of the 2021 Public Service Rules. By hosting this Conference, Nigeria reaffirms its leadership in shaping Africa’s accountable, innovative, and citizen-responsive public service ecosystem”. Mrs Walson-Jack, added.
Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack emphasised that her office is accelerating the digital transformation of the Service, noting that the race to December 31, 2025 dateline for paperless Civil Service, is still on.
The 2025 Civil Service Week, will feature a series of spiritually enriching, intellectually engaging, and socially rewarding events designed to celebrate excellence in public service, reflect on reforms, and promote a unified vision for a stronger Civil Service.
Olusola Akintonde