…Says digitalisation of Civil Service is ‘wonderful’

By Nnasom David

FCT, Abuja — President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity and ensure that the right individuals are placed in the right roles.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, Tinubu said the exercise is a critical step toward building a more agile, competent and responsive public service.

“We can only guarantee the high-performance culture our country deserves by placing the right people in the right roles.

“To this end, I have authorised a comprehensive Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis across the Federal Civil Service to deepen capacity,” the President said.

He urged all relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the exercise and begin implementing targeted reforms that would enhance service delivery nationwide.

Tinubu also hailed the ongoing digital transformation of the civil service, describing it as “wonderful” and essential to national development.

He highlighted strides in digitising work processes, capacity building, and performance management under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025).

“Innovation remains critical in ensuring that the civil service is dynamic, digital, ethical, and globally competitive,” he said.

He specifically commended the launch of Service-Wide GPT, a homegrown AI tool designed to boost policy execution and operational efficiency within government institutions.

The President further directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to rigorously adhere to the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, stressing the importance of data as a reform driver.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He also restated his administration’s commitment to civil servants’ welfare, highlighting key initiatives such as the new national minimum wage, consequential salary adjustments, and the approval of the Pension Bond Scheme.

Tinubu praised international partners, including the United Nations and the governments of the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, for supporting leadership and digital literacy programmes that are helping to modernise Nigeria’s civil service.

In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described civil servants as the “essence of effective administration” and applauded their role in fostering stability, innovation, and public trust.

She reaffirmed the service’s commitment to reform, noting that with sustained leadership and collaboration, Nigeria’s civil service is on course to become a globally recognised institution of excellence.