Tinubu backs civil service reforms, orders nationwide audit, skills review

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has described Nigeria’s civil service as the cornerstone of effective governance and pledged sweeping reforms to strengthen its role in national development.

Speaking at the opening of the inaugural International Civil Service Conference in Abuja on Thursday, the President announced a comprehensive personnel audit and skills gap analysis across all ministries and agencies. He said the measure aims to improve capacity and align public service delivery with national goals.

“To deliver the high-performance culture our country deserves, we must place the right people in the right roles,” Tinubu stated.

The event, which marks the 2025 Civil Service Week, brought together policymakers, technocrats, and international partners under the theme “Rejuvenate, Innovate & Accelerate.” The President said the theme aligns with his administration’s push for a modern, efficient, and ethical civil service built on innovation and accountability.

Highlighting several ongoing initiatives, Tinubu cited the deployment of digital workflows, the expansion of e-learning platforms, and the launch of Service-Wise GPT as signs of progress in reforming the bureaucracy.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving civil servants’ welfare, pointing to the proposed new minimum wage, salary adjustments, and the Pension Bond Scheme as part of efforts to boost morale and productivity.

He praised the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for convening the conference and advancing the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025).

In her remarks, Walson-Jack said the civil service must set the pace for Nigeria to take its place as a continental leader. She noted that the conference—funded through private sector and development partnerships—was a model for how innovation and collaboration can drive reform.