…Walson-Jack: Civil Service/MDAs goes paperless December
By Dele Ogbodo
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, on Wednesday, said the stage is steadied as Nigeria hosts the inaugural edition of the International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) in Abuja, on 25 to 26, June, 2025 with President Bola Tinubu, set to declare the conference open.
The International Civil Service dimension, she acknowledged is part of fusion to Nigeria’s Annual Civil Service celebration and Africa’s Civil Service Week.
According to her, speakers from the United Kingdom (UK), Azerbaijan, Singapore and Ghana have confirmed their readiness to participate at the auspicious event.
Walson-Jack, acknowledged that Nigeria will reaffirm its leadership in shaping Africa’s accountable, innovative, and citizen-responsive public service ecosystem through hosting the international conference.
Fielding questions from the media on the activities commemorating the African Civil Service Day and the Nigerian Civil Service Week, she said the centrepiece of this year’s celebration is the International flavour and dimension which has as its theme: ‘Civil Service “Rejuvenate, Innovate and Accelerate.”
Meanwhile, the HCSF has confirmed that the service including the MDAs will be going paperless at the end of the December, 2025. This, according her further reinforces the digitalization process which NITDA and stakeholders have been supporting the service with.
African Public Service Day, the HCSF, said was adopted at the 1994 Pan-African Conference of Ministers in Tangier, Morocco, usually celebrated across the continent on the 23rd of June to honour public service values, promote professional excellence, and showcase public sector innovation.
“This year, we are incorporating the African Public Service Day into our Civil Service Week and taking the celebration to new heights.
“It is my honour and privilege to announce that the Federal and State Civil Services will commemorate the African Public Service Day and the Nigerian Civil Service Week, from Friday, 20th to Saturday, 28th June 2025.” She said.
According to her, the series of events represent a defining moment on the journey to reposition the Nigerian Civil Service as a 21st-century engine for national development, regional and international leadership.
She further explained that the 2025 civil service week, is a significant event in its calendar, adding that it 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.
“The programme line-up includes the commissioning of the re-modelled Reception for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a Special Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque, a Thanksgiving Service at the Family Worship Centre, Wuye, and a Study Tour of the Federal Civil Service and Abuja by State’s Heads of Civil Service.
“This transformative event, themed “Rejuvenate, Innovate and 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. It is a platform for change and progress.” The HCSF, added.
According to her, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will declare the conference open on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, at Eagle Square, Abuja, adding that over 5,000 delegates and participants are expected at the conference.
Other key features of the ICSC include, Walson-Jack, said include keynote presentations by renowned international and local reformers
Strategic panel discussions and interactive roundtable. Dedicated stage for young public Servants
The ICSC, according to her, will serve as a premier platform for: Cross-border knowledge exchange on reform practice, digital transformation and the adoption of innovative technologies in governance.
On PPP, she added institutional collaboration across national and continental boundaries, citizen-centred service delivery and performance-driven leadership will be brought to fore.
“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.” She added.
