From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the opening of the maiden International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria鈥檚 Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, issued a compelling call for urgent adaptation of civil services worldwide to the complex challenges of the 21st century.
Speaking to a global audience of civil servants, policymakers, and reform advocates, she stressed that traditional public institutions must evolve rapidly or risk becoming obsolete.
鈥淭his conference is a gateway to reimagining public service for a rapidly changing world,鈥 Walson-Jack declared. 鈥淭he systems we inherited were forged in a different era, yet today we face unprecedented challenges 鈥 from digital disruption and climate shocks to pandemics and the rising demand for equity and inclusion. We must respond with renewed energy and bold innovation.鈥
She stressed that the conference theme, Rejuvenate, Innovate, and Accelerate, is not merely aspirational but a critical agenda for survival and relevance. 鈥淩ejuvenation means renewing the spirit, skills, and structure of the civil service. Innovation demands that bureaucracy must not mean stagnation; we must rethink how policies are made and services delivered.
Acceleration is essential because time is no longer a luxury 鈥 citizens are waiting, climates are changing, and resources are limited,鈥 she said.
Walson-Jack highlighted Nigeria鈥檚 own reform journey as a model of this urgent transformation. She pointed to the automation of government processes through an Enterprise Content Management System and the introduction of a Performance Management System that links individual goals to national priorities.
鈥淭hese are not mere aspirations; they are deliverables,鈥 she affirmed, underscoring Nigeria鈥檚 commitment to digitalization and leadership development within its civil service.
The conference, organized in partnership with the Global Government Forum UK, brings together leaders from Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond to share best practices and innovations. Walson-Jack urged participants to embrace cross-border collaboration as a vital tool for success. 鈥淭ogether, we will explore new ideas, share innovations, and inspire lasting reform. Across borders, we are united by a common goal: building public institutions that truly serve,鈥 she said.
She also directly addressed young civil servants and reform champions in the room: 鈥淵ou are not the future of public service. You are its present. Your creativity, courage, and conviction will define whether we succeed in rejuvenating, innovating, and accelerating the transformation we seek.鈥
The conference agenda spans digital innovation, workforce modernization, climate-responsive governance, and citizen engagement, reflecting the multifaceted demands governments face today. Mrs. Walson-Jack concluded with a powerful reminder that the civil service is the engine of national development and global stability. 鈥淭his conference is a declaration that business as usual is no longer acceptable. It is a signal that we are ready to rejuvenate, to innovate, and to accelerate,鈥 she said.