 As an amazon with unstoppable vision and mission, the current Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack has continued to embark on digital revolution in the first 100 days at the helm of affairs.
With the speed becoming more of a lightening change, the era and days of manual and analog operations in the Federal Civil Service, no doubt, appeared to be numbered, as they would soon become extinct.
This is because the rapid changes and innovation in the service in the last 100 days has become more crystal clear that any civil servant who refuses to embrace technology and the digital innovations will be left far behind.
Therefore Civil servants , who are still a bit backward digitally, definitely don’t need to fret, but just take steps to brush up themselves, learn and relearn on the job, and allow themselves to be carried away by the wind of digitization blowing through the Federal Civil service
Some of the recent changes Mrs. Walson-Jack has brought to bear on the service under her tenure included the launch of some digital transformative initiatives in the Federal Civil Service.
She introduced Service Wise GPT, GOVMail and the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy. Launching the initiatives in Abuja, Mrs Walson-Jack, expressed confidence that the initiatives will ensure that technology drives reforms and provide the foundation for a modernized Civil Service.
She said “Today marks the realization of a vision that I pledged upon assuming office to harness the power of technology to reposition our Civil Service as a bastion of efficiency, professionalism, and service excellence”.
According to her, the launch of the triple initiatives reflects the shared goal of a civil service that is efficient, innovative, and dedicated to serving the citizens in line with a renewed commitment to reform the civil service, as outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).
Stressing that the launching of GovMail is not just an official email platform dedicated to Civil Servants, she said it is a secured and centralized communication tool designed to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and ensure the integrity of official correspondence.
Speaking on the Service-Wise GPT, the HCSF said the initiative is a groundbreaking leap in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support Civil Service operations.
“This intelligent assistant is designed to provide instant access to information, facilitate decision-making, and assist Civil Servants in performing their duties with greater efficiency.
“By leveraging AI, we are empowering Civil Servants to deliver prompt and effective service to Nigerians, reflecting our commitment to innovation and responsiveness.” She stated
On the newly launched Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy, the HCSF said it is an innovative platform that underscores the belief in the transformative power of knowledge.
“It offers Civil Servants the opportunity to upskill and reskill through a variety of online courses tailored to our unique needs, this academy will play a vital role in equipping our workforce with the competencies required to meet the challenges of a dynamic global landscape” she stated.
She didn’t erase the history she met on ground, as she appreciably acknowledged the invaluable contributions her predecessor, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, laid for the foundation for the conceptualization of the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy.
Mrs Walson-Jack noted that the three platforms have been launched as beta versions to enable Civil Servants and stakeholders provide constructive feedbacks via betaversionfeedback@ohcsf.gov.
“These initiatives are not merely tools, they represent a new mindset for our Civil Service, one that is forward-looking, adaptable, and resolutely committed to delivering exceptional service to the Nigerian people” she had stated.
To further digitalize the Federal Civil service, Mrs. Walson-Jack, |
launched the Federal Civil Service Online Compendium of Circulars.
The innovation, she noted, is designed to ensure that circulars are easily accessible to every civil servant, no matter where they are.
"This compendium is a significant leap toward simplifying a shared vision of a more connected, efficient and transparent Civil Service that would advance progress in service delivery and promote Good governance .
According to her, the Compendium will give access to critical information for civil servants, the general public and also serve as an invaluable tool to foster transparency, reduce administrative bottlenecks, significantly achieving the civil service’s overreaching goals and efficiency, accountability, and improved service delivery.
"This initiative is expected to be a central tool that will improve the understanding and knowledge of every civil servant on governance issues"
She listed some of the features of the online compendium, that can be accessed via https://ohcsf.gov.ng/
As a starting point, the compendium consolidated 980 circulars issued since 1995, sourced from 25 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and authored by 130 contributors.
In the activities marking her first 100 days in office on Friday 22nd November, 2024, the HCSF also unveiled four policies and guidelines to help reposition the service to be at par with best practices globally.
They included policies and guidelines on rewards and recognition, incentives and consequences, mentoring framework and protocol of the use of Federal Government properties.
Validation of the four policies and guidelines, she said, will lay solid foundation and put excellence at the heart of the public service.
The rewards and recognition policy, she said, will spur others to do more by emulating those being rewarded and recognized, while the incentives and consequences policy will also encourage civil servants to do more.
The mentoring framework, she noted, is more than just attaching seasoned professionals with less experienced staff to pass knowledge and skills, while the protocol of the use of the Federal Government Secretariats will establish standards for the use of the properties.
Stressing that the four policies and guidelines are not just administrative exercise, she said they are to ensure coherence and sustainability.
"This is not just a vision, but a call to action." she stated.
At the occasion, a consultant for the rewards and recognition policy, Mrs Bankole, noted that there is presently absent of such policy in the MDAs.
Noting that there is very low morale among civil servants, she said any semblance of such policy is undefined and poorly communicated.
Explainng that the primary goal of the policy is to institutionalize it and not just implementing it, she said that the policy is merit based, eliminates favorism and provides equal opportunity for civil servants.
Also delivering a goodwill message at the occasion, a stakeholder, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, declared "We are seeing a new phase that will bring progress to this nation."
As a transformer in the federal civil service long before Mrs. Walson-Jack became the HCSF, the former HCSF, Danladi Kifasi, also disclosed at the occasion how Walson-Jack was the brain behind the innovations that took place under his tenure.
Commending Walson-Jack for the reforms in the civil service in her first 100 days in office, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Wale Edun said "I am here to congratulate the Head of service for not just achieving 100 days but using that period as an opportunity to put across to civil servants the agenda of 4 transformative document to inspire the workers.
"I recommend this agenda to every public servants and not just that, I want to give you an insight as to how critical your role, transformation from what you are now.
"And even more vibrant, efficient, technology driven body of civil servants, how important to President Bola Tinubu's agenda.
"You are the arrowhead. It is your determination on the job that makes the difference." he stated
Mrs. Walson-jack, in an unprecedented manner in line with her belief in the rewards and recognition policy also organized Recognition Dinner for newly promoted 332 directors of the Federal civil Service on Friday night.
At the well attended dinner, Mrs. Walson-Jack presented lapels to the new directors and posed for memorable pictures with them batch after batch.
She however did not fail to warn them at the dinner of what is attached to their new ranks.
She said "As newly promoted directors, you have reached the pinnacle that reflects not just your achievements, but trust and expectation placed upon you by the Federal Civil Service and the nation.
"Your promotion is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of more challenging and fulfilling part where your influence and impact will shape the future of our civil service."
Charging them to rededicate themselves to the principle of good governance, transparency and efficiency, she said they must let their leadership inspire confidence among their subordinates and stakeholders.
"I urge you therefore to embrace this opportunity for growth and development. I will like to inspire you to reach new heights in your career.
"We are committed to providing the resources, training and support you need to succeed. Our doors are always open and we are here to listen, guide and partner with you in achieving our shared goals." she assured.
What has been done in the last 100 days under her tenure, is said to be a tip of the iceberg of what has been programmed to make the service more globally competitive, efficient and transparent.
The cooperation of all civil servants and stakeholders, no doubt, is needed to achieve more milestones in the coming days, give the Tinubu’s administration more support in its economic reforms drive, and make the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria second to none, globally.