Tinubu: Civil Service Now ‘Faster, Smarter, More Accountable’ as Digital Reforms Take Hold
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says the Nigerian Public Service has moved “beyond plans and policy declarations” to deliver measurable results, with Ministries now operating on a secure, paperless and end-to-end electronic workflow system.T
The President spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, while declaring open the International Civil Service Conference 2026 at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Addressing the conference themed _“Reforms, Resilience and Results,”_ he described it as “not just a slogan” but “a statement of intent and a measure of our progress.”
He highlighted that it is a reflection of Nigeria’s transition “from aspiration to execution and from execution to measurable impact.”
“In the past 11 months, the Nigerian Public Service has tested its systems against global economic pressures, domestic service demands and the urgent expectations of citizens. The results we see today speak to the resilience, commitment and adaptability of our workforce,” the President said.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, he noted, the administration promised “a government that works for every Nigerian,” adding: “We recognize then, as we do now, that no policy, however sound, can succeed without a capable, disciplined, high-performing civil service to implement it. You are the engine room of national transformation. Today, that engine is becoming faster, smarter, more accountable and more responsive to the needs of our people.”
President Tinubu highlighted the Service’s digital leap, stating: “When we spoke of digitalization in 2025, some may have considered it an ambition for the distant future. Today, we have Ministries and Extra-ministerial departments operating on a secure, paperless and end-to-end electronic workflow system. We are sending a clear message that Nigeria is building a public service that enables progress.”
“Our bureaucracy must no longer be seen as a bottleneck. It must serve as a bridge to efficiency, investment, innovation and inclusive growth,” he said. To that end, the President directed all Ministries and Extra-ministerial departments “to sustain and deepen their digitalized work processes,” while agencies were directed “to adopt digitalization across their internal operations and service delivery systems.”
He added: “The era of manual inefficiency must give way to a culture of speed, transparency, data-driven decision-making and citizen-centered service.”
President Tinubu disclosed that the personnel audit and statistical analysis authorized during the last conference is now nearing completion. “We are no longer relying on assumptions about our capability and capacity. We are measuring, we are identifying gaps, strengthening competencies and ensuring that the right people are placed in the right role, equipped with the digital skills and professional discipline required for 21st century governance.”
Referencing his role as Africa Chair Executive at Soforev in Rwanda, President Tinubu spoke of Nigeria’s “bold digital infrastructure ambition” through Project Bridge – “Building Exceeding Digital Infrastructure for Growth.”
He said: “As we accelerate our digital transformation journey, we welcome investors and partners to participate in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. This is a critical foundation for jobs, business growth, innovation, public service efficiency and expanded connectivity for millions of Nigerians in the digital economy.”
The President specifically commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack for her “exemplary leadership in driving the Federal Civil Service Practices Implementation Plan 2021-2025, which has yielded significant results.”
He cited “the integration of innovative tools, including the service-wise JPT,” as proof of “what is possible when visionary leadership is matched with disciplined execution, institutional ownership and a clear commitment to reform.”
President Tinubu also commended the collective efforts of MDAs, noting that “through sustained internal collaboration, Nigeria’s public service transformation journey has continued to gain momentum,” positioning the country “as an emerging benchmark for public service reform on the continent and beyond.”
Thanking international partners for continued collaboration, the President emphasized that “Nigeria is reforming with confidence, not only to meet domestic expectations, but also to contribute meaningfully to regional and global standards in public service excellence.”
He challenged the conference to serve as a “resource laboratory” and to ask hard questions: “How do we make reform irreversible? How do we strengthen our accountability? How do we ensure that technology improves service delivery and not merely internal processes? How do we build institutions that endure beyond personalities and political cycles?”
“We must institutionalize resilience so that the progress of today becomes the standard of tomorrow,” he stated. “The world is watching Nigeria. More importantly, Nigerians are expecting results. Our responsibility is to justify their confidence by building a civil service that is efficient, ethical, professional, innovative and firmly committed to national development.”
