The Permanent Secretary, Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire, has called on officers and staff of the Ministry to embrace innovation, continuous learning, digital transformation, teamwork and excellence in service delivery as essential tools for building a productive, citizen-centred and world-class public service.
Dr Ukaire made the call during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Civil Service Week Celebration held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The week-long event, which commenced on June 22, will culminate on June 28, 2026.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary described Civil Service Week as an important annual event dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of civil servants to national development and effective governance.
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Commending members of staff for their dedication and sacrifices, she said the celebration was an opportunity to honour the men and women who work behind the scenes to ensure the continuity of government and the delivery of public services.
“Today is your day. We are here to celebrate every one of you who works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure continuity, stability and progress in public administration,” Dr Ukaire stated.
Speaking on the theme of the 2026 celebration, ‘Transforming Public Institutions Through Advancing Innovation, Participation and Inclusion’, she noted that the theme aligns with ongoing reforms in the Federal Civil Service aimed at strengthening public institutions through innovation, technology-driven administration, capacity development and improved service delivery.
According to her, the Ministry must continue to play its strategic role as the engine room of government communication and national orientation while adapting to the changing realities of modern governance.
“Let us embrace innovation, continuous learning, teamwork and excellence in service delivery as we strive to deliver on the mandate entrusted to us by the Nigerian people,” she urged.
The Permanent Secretary further emphasised the need for civil servants to remain committed to personal and professional development, stressing that learning, adaptation and innovation are indispensable requirements for effective public service in the digital age.
She also called on staff to support the ongoing transformation agenda of government and contribute towards achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Change has come, but you are the ones who will make that change happen. Let us all play our part and put our hands on deck to actualise the vision of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation,” she noted.
Dr Ukaire encouraged all officers and staff to actively participate in the various activities lined up for the week-long celebration, including a special Juma’at prayer and interdenominational thanksgiving service.
Speaking on Pillar One, Capability Building, Director of Public Communications, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike underscored the importance of continuous learning, mentoring, talent management and career development in building a competent workforce capable of meeting contemporary governance challenges.
Representing the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Dickson Amaka highlighted the role of the Performance Management System (PMS) in enhancing accountability, productivity and institutional effectiveness.
On Pillar Three, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Deputy Director of Human Resources Management, Mr Peter Davwet, explained that the platform has improved transparency, accountability and efficiency in payroll administration across the Federal Civil Service.
Delivering a presentation on Innovation, Director of Production, Publicity and Documentary, Mr Ibidapo Okunnu, encouraged staff to cultivate creative thinking and embrace innovative approaches to service delivery.
“Innovation is about introducing new ideas, new concepts and new processes that add value to what we do. It remains central to improving efficiency, effectiveness and performance in the public service,” he said.
Similarly, the Deputy Director of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Ifeanyi Okereke, who spoke on Digitalisation, stressed the importance of leveraging digital platforms and emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency and collaboration within government institutions.
“The future of the civil service lies in digital transformation. We must fully utilise government digital platforms and technologies to improve transparency, efficiency and service delivery,” Okereke stated.
Speaking on Staff Welfare, Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Dr Haruna Suleiman, highlighted several initiatives introduced by the Federal Government to improve the wellbeing of civil servants, including housing schemes, loan facilities, career progression opportunities and improved working conditions.
Representatives of staff and labour unions also pledged their support for ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening capacity development, staff welfare and institutional effectiveness, while urging workers to take ownership of the transformation process.
The opening ceremony, which featured sensitisation presentations on the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), delivered by directors and senior officers of the Ministry, marked the commencement of a week-long programme designed to celebrate the contributions of civil servants and deepen awareness of reforms geared towards repositioning the Federal Civil Service for greater efficiency, innovation and improved service delivery to Nigerians.
