By Emmanuel Elebeke

Public servants in Nigeria have been urged to prioritise integrity, professionalism, and public trust in their service.

Expert speakers made the call at the 2026 Public Service Day Lecture on Tuesday in Abuja.

The lecture, themed “Transforming Public Institutions through Innovation, Participation and Inclusion,” marked the maiden edition of the BPSR Public Service Lecture Series, which is expected to become an annual platform for advancing discourse on public sector reforms.

Delivering the lead paper, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni, described public service reform as a critical driver of national development.

He emphasised that public service is fundamentally a trust between government and citizens and urged public servants to remain committed to serving the public interest above personal or institutional loyalties.

According to him, “The loyalty of civil servants should not be to their immediate superiors alone but to the citizens they serve and the institutions that endure beyond political administrations.”

He encouraged young Nigerians to join the public service and contribute to transforming government institutions for the benefit of all citizens.

The former Head of the Civil Service also stressed the importance of strategic manpower development and called for deliberate reforms to build the skilled workforce needed for the future. He warned against institutional rivalry, noting that unhealthy competition among public institutions continues to hinder national development.

Innovation Must Be Anchored on Integrity – Prof. Isaac Obasi

Presenting the second lead paper, Professor Isaac Obasi stated that technological innovation should complement, rather than replace, public servants.

“Machines are not alternatives to public servants. Innovation without integrity is not progress,” he said.
Professor Obasi argued that while digital transformation has significantly improved public administration, the human element remains indispensable to effective governance.

He maintained that both service providers and citizens are important stakeholders in governance and must be accorded appropriate attention in reform efforts.

Drawing lessons from international best practices, he cited Malawi as an example of a country that has gained global recognition through deliberate public sector reforms.

Using the analogy of a beautiful envelope and its contents, he stressed that institutional reforms must focus not only on structures and appearances but also on delivering meaningful outcomes for citizens.
Public Service Must Undergo a Paradigm Shift – Prof. Tunji Olaopa

The Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, who spoke on “Public Service in Challenging Times,” called for a fundamental paradigm shift in public administration.

He argued that traditional approaches to governance are no longer adequate to address contemporary challenges and urged public institutions to embrace innovation, inclusion, and institutional transformation.

Addressing the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Olopa emphasised the need to continue promoting innovative thinking, inclusive governance, and the re-engineering of institutional practices to improve public sector performance and service delivery.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Arabi, called for renewed commitment to innovation, participation, and inclusion as critical pillars for transforming public institutions and improving service delivery across Nigeria.

He said that Public Service Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly, provides an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contributions of public servants to national development while reflecting on the future of governance and public administration.

According to the Director-General, citizens now demand faster, more transparent, accountable, and responsive public services, making it imperative for governments to continually rethink how public institutions deliver value.

He noted that the Bureau has, over the years, worked with stakeholders to address institutional challenges such as legacy systems, fragmented processes, limited citizen engagement, and inequalities that undermine public trust.

Mr. Arabi emphasised that innovation, participation, and inclusion must remain at the centre of ongoing reform efforts.

“Public institutions must leverage technology, data analytics, and modern management practices to provide efficient, resilient, and citizen-centred services,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of citizen participation in governance and called for greater inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities in public service delivery and decision-making processes.

Highlighting ongoing reforms by the Federal Government, Mr. Arabi pointed to achievements in digital transformation, particularly in public financial management through initiatives such as the Treasury Single Account and other technology-driven systems that have enhanced transparency and accountability.

He also disclosed that the government is expanding one-stop service centres to enable citizens to access multiple public services through a single platform while strengthening talent management, institutional capacity, performance management, and accountability systems across ministries, departments, and agencies.

The Director-General urged public servants to prepare for emerging challenges, including climate change, environmental pressures, and rapid technological advancement, noting that adaptability and innovation are now indispensable to effective public administration.

He commended states that have established public service reform structures and encouraged others to adopt similar frameworks to deepen reform efforts nationwide.

Mr. Arabi also acknowledged the support of development partners, including the World Bank, the European Union, the MacArthur Foundation, Accountability Lab, and other organisations that have contributed significantly to advancing public sector reforms in Nigeria over the last two decades.

The event concluded with the recognition of individuals and institutions that have distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions to public service reform at the federal, state, and local government levels.

Participants expressed optimism that the Public Service Lecture Series would provide a sustainable platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and collaborative efforts aimed at building a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service in Nigeria.