President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive personnel audit and skills gap analysis across the Federal Civil Service to deepen capacity.
He gave the directive on Thursday at the International Civil Service Conference in Abuja.
He implored all responsible stakeholders to prioritise the timely completion of this critical exercise, with a view to implementing targeted reforms and realise the full benefits of a more agile, competent, and responsive Civil Service.
He directed all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies to capture information rigorously, safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and release it swiftly for public value, ensuring the highest data protection and privacy standards.
He underscored the import of data to national development.
He said:”Accurate, secure, and sovereign data is the lifeblood of every reform we pursue. Data is the new oil, but unlike oil, its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared.
“We must let our Data speak for us. We must publish verified datasets within Nigeria and share them in internationally recognised repositories.
“This will allow global benchmarking organisations to track our progress in real-time and help us strengthen our position on the world stage.
“Anchoring these platforms within local or allied data centres preserves privacy and upholds data sovereignty.
“Upon this foundation of trusted, protected, and globally accessible information, we shall practice evidence-based governance, climb international rankings, and build a proactive Public Service that anticipates the needs of every Nigerian.”
Commending the theme of the
maiden conference, “Rejuvenate, Innovate & Accelerate,” Tinubu described it as “timely, apt and compelling.”
According to him, “It captures our collective ambition to reimagine and reposition the Service.
“In today’s rapidly evolving world of technology, innovation remains critical in ensuring that the Civil Service is a dynamic, digital, ethical, and globally competitive institution.
“An innovative Civil Service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.”
Commenting on the indispensable roles of Civil servants, he said: “Civil servants, you are not just the backbone of effective administration across borders but the very essence of it.
“Your role as the quiet architects of stability, innovation, and public trust is invaluable.
“The Civil Service, as the vehicle through which the government delivers public goods, has steered us through economic cycles, constitutional transitions, and social democratic consolidation.
“Today, we stand on the sturdy foundation our predecessors built, and your leadership and stakeholder roles remain crucial and integral in modernising and fortifying the Civil Service for generations unborn.
“This vision aligns with our Renewed Hope Agenda, a comprehensive roadmap for building a secure, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria.”
He said his administration has introduced the new national minimum wage, the consequential adjustments to salaries arising from the new minimum wage, and the approval of the Pension Bond Scheme, among others.
He commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, for her outstanding leadership and tireless pursuit of reform.
He added that :”Her stewardship has driven the successful implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025, marked by milestones such as digitalising work processes, continuous learning initiatives, and launching Service-Wise GPT – our homegrown AI tool to enhance policy execution and efficiency.”
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, thanked President Tinubu for his bold leadership and steadfast commitment to a reformed, digitally enabled, citizen-centred public service.
She explained that her team had recently embarked on learning missions to Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, to study how other nations have transformed their public institutions.
According to her, “The lesson is clear: if Nigeria is to lead Africa, then our Civil Service must lead the way. This is the purpose of our gathering today.”
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, who presented Service-Wise GPT, an AI-powered assistant developed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, explained that the “AI tool is a game-changer, empowering Civil Servants and the public by providing quick and accurate answers to questions about the Nigerian Public Service, the Rules, policies, circulars, procedures, and our activities.”
She said the Service-Wise GPT,
“saves time, reduces dependence on manual searches, improves decision-making, and enhances overall efficiency in day-to-day operations.
“Its advanced algorithms and vast database ensure that it can handle a wide range of queries, making it an invaluable resource for our Civil Service.”
