The Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology has partnered with Microsoft to train public servants in information technology, IT, proficiency.

The three-day training, tagged ‘Developing a 21st Century Public Sector Worker’ held from Monday, December 6 to Wednesday, December 8 2021, was supported by ATB Topsoft.

Speaking at the training, Mr Assante Bazoumana, of Modern Workplace Business for Microsoft, stated that Lagos is one of the major customers of the company stressing that the partnership would support the state in its various initiatives to modernise IT and support the state’s civil servants.

Mr Kayode Akomolafe, in charge of Public Sector Business for Microsoft also stated that the IT giant has been partnering with Lagos for over two decades and are part of the Smart City initiatives of the state.

He opined that partnering with the state to deliver digital skill training for workers was paramount because of the importance of civil servants to making Lagos a smart city.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Hakeem Fahm emphasised that the training would enhance the productivity of the civil servants.

In her contribution, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Olayinka Fashola, explained that the ministry has over 600 staff of which “200 are in-house, 400 are attached to various MDAs as support staffs and this kind of ‘easy to digest workshop’ on the applications they use is required.”

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Hakeem Fahm who was present at the training emphasised the importance of training personnel on products that will enhance their productivity.

Also, SA to the governor on innovation and Technology, Mr Alake Tunbosun also said “it is important to equip the public servant much more as the workplace is moving into a more digital ecosystem.”