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Service Improvement: HOS wants civil servants to embrace digital transformation

Published

3 years ago

March 24, 2023

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has called on civil servants to embrace digital transformation innovation to compete with their counterparts in the world.

Yemi-Esan made the call on Thursday, in Abuja at the Award Ceremony of the 2022 Civil Service Innovation Competition, organised by her office in collaboration with the Galaxy Backbone Limited.

The event is meant to award the outstanding civil servants across public service sector.

The initiative is part of the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s public service through adoption of new technological knowledge to improve civil servants’ skills as well as reducing cost of governance in the country.

Speaking further, HOS explained that the future jobs as recorded by the world economy forum, which demand data analysts and scientists, software and application developers and social media specialists, information designers were sustained by the use of technology.

“The future jobs as recorded by the world economy forum says that the range of established roles in the global labour market which experienced rising demand include data analysts and scientists, software.

“And, application of developers and social media specialists, information designers among others are significantly based on the use of enhanced technology.

“This suggests that professionals who have the knowledge of technology and social sciences would be in high demand.”

She, therefore, used the occasion to appeal to civil servants to join in the quest for the transformation of global services in technology for improvement of the nation’s public service sector.

Earlier, Mr Faruk Yabo, Permanent Secretary-Special Duties Office, office of HOCSF, said the idea behind the initiative was centred on three thematic areas of securing a conducive working environment for civil servants.

Others he said included to identify new methods of promoting Public Private Partnership in service and also, to focus on the cost serving measures using modern technologies in public service delivery.

According to Yabo, recent time global events such as devastation caused by climate change, COVID-19 pandemic among other economic challenges has made it more urgent for government and particularly, the civil service to think outside the box and imbibe the culture of innovation.

He said the impact of today’s rapidly changing economic and technological landscape had made government’s task of delivering public service more complex.

“This is evident around the world, and Nigeria has not been spared from this challenge.”

Also, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, Managing Director Galaxy Backbone Limited, expressed delight over successes recorded by Nigeria in recent times owning to the use of innovation both in private and Public sectors.

Abubakar commended the efforts by the HOS to transform the public service through application of technology, saying it has significantly improved the performance of service across board.

He said Galaxy Backbone was excited to be part of the success journey, adding that innovation has always being the aspiration of the company.

The highlight of the event was the award of the three set of civil servants with the first group with the prize of three million naira, the second category went home with one million, seven hundred and fifty naira, while the third category was awarded with one million naira.

Others were awarded with the consolation prizes of two hundred thousand naira each.

Mr Iluromi Olusegun, a staff of Ministry of Education and one of the beneficiaries, thanked the HOS and the organisers for the gesture, saying it will encourage civil servants more to venture into innovation in the course of their services to the nation.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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