Walson-Jack declares end to ‘Business as Usual’ as Civil Service enters new reform era

Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has boldly announced the end of what she described as the “business as usual” era in the federal civil service.

She made this declaration while speaking at the opening of the maiden International Civil Service Conference held at Eagle Square, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Describing the event as more than just a conference, Walson-Jack called it a “movement of renewal, creativity, and progress.” The gathering, which attracted delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, set the tone for a fresh push towards public sector reform across the continent.

In her keynote address, Walson-Jack urged Nigeria’s civil service to “rejuvenate, innovate, and accelerate” in order to meet the challenges of the fast-changing 21st century.

Her remarks received a standing ovation from an audience made up of reformers, technocrats, and governance experts from around the world.

She pointed out that significant reforms were already in motion under her leadership.

These include the adoption of a paperless Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), a new Performance Management System that connects civil servants’ goals directly to national development priorities, and the restructuring of training institutions to focus on digital skills and future readiness.

“These are not pilot ideas,” she stated firmly. “These are active deliverables marking a new spirit of transformation within our public service.”

Also speaking at the event, governance expert Dr. Joe Abah warned that no reform effort would succeed without the backing of political leaders. “If the politicians do not want the civil service to work, it won’t, no matter how visionary the leadership is,” he said. Nevertheless, he described Walson-Jack’s reform agenda as bold and future-driven.

The two-day international conference, held in partnership with the UK-based Global Government Forum, drew participation from countries including Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Singapore. Key topics for discussion included the use of artificial intelligence in governance, climate-responsive public administration, citizen-centered service delivery, and modern leadership approaches.

During her closing remarks, Walson-Jack issued a rallying call to the younger generation of public servants, stressing, “You are not the future of the civil service—you are its present. Your creativity, energy, and courage will determine whether we succeed or fail in this mission.”

As the conference continued with strategic sessions and new international partnerships expected, the message from Abuja was clear: Nigeria’s civil service has entered a new chapter where innovation, accountability, and high standards are no longer optional.