By Abigail Philip David
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has established a strategic partnership with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to enhance public accountability and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s civil service.
This collaboration was announced in a statement on Friday by Aliyu Umar, Head of Strategic Communication at BPSR.
During a meeting with the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Arabi, emphasized the significance of the partnership in driving meaningful reforms within the public sector.
> “The BPSR is committed to working closely with the OHCSF to ensure effective implementation of reform initiatives, fostering a civil service that is efficient, accountable, and citizen-centered,” Arabi stated.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to institutionalize performance management, promote innovation, and accelerate digital transformation across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
> “Performance management faced challenges due to competing priorities. To address this, we designated Thursdays specifically for this purpose, yielding significant results. By next year, appraisals will fully align with this system,” Arabi explained.
Regarding digitalization, Arabi announced plans to establish enterprise content management systems and fully digitalize ten ministries by the end of the year.
> “These advancements, alongside the adoption of key policies like the Reform and Recognition Policy and Mentoring Framework, represent critical steps in creating a more transparent and effective civil service,” he added.
Arabi also revealed plans for a stakeholder engagement program aimed at gathering feedback from citizens on service delivery.
> “Nigerian citizens are our primary stakeholders. Understanding their concerns is essential for improving service delivery,” he noted.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Permanent Secretaries and representatives from international partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the World Bank.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, reaffirmed her commitment to modernizing the civil service in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
> “This partnership represents the beginning of a transformative collaboration to drive reforms to completion and ensure their sustainability,” Walson-Jack said.
