Joel Ajayi 

In an era where technology is rapidly reshaping industries, economies, and governance structures, digital transformation has become a necessity rather than a choice. It lies at the core of policy formulation and service delivery in the public sector.

The Permanent  Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya  emphasized this in Abuja on Monday during a capacity-building workshop on digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), organized  by the Ministry, in collaboration with UNESCO.

 Represented by Mr. Joseph Oluwole, Director of General Service in the Ministry, Olubunmi in his opening  remarks  stated that the public sector, being central to governance and service delivery, must evolve to meet the ever-changing expectations of citizens.

“Governments worldwide are increasingly leveraging AI, big data, and digital technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in public service,” he noted.

In his own remarks, Mr. Joshi Manish , Representative  of  UNESCO  highlighted the pervasive impact of digitalization on all aspects of life.

“For digital transformation to succeed, governments must change the way they function and adopt a whole-of-society, inclusive approach. This requires adapting governance models and structures to address the new challenges and opportunities presented by digital technologies,” Manish said.

He further explained that research has revealed significant gaps in digital competencies within governments, particularly in the Global South.He also observed that many digital transformation projects fail not only due to  lack of IT infrastructure and policy frameworks but also because of insufficient digital skills within government institutions.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Olagunju Idowu, Secretary-General of NATCOM-UNESCO, stressed that digital transformation is essential for integrating technology into all aspects of governance to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.

“Civil servants who undergo this training will improve their problem-solving abilities, prediction and projection skills, as well  as overall efficiency in handling future challenges. Additionally, the training will facilitate better data management, transparency, and accountability in government operations,” Idowu stated.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ibidapo Okunnu, Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary,  Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, highlighted that the training is aimed at equipping management and mid-level officers with essential digital literacy skills to navigate today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.

“Digital transformation is no longer optional but a necessity for effective communication, governance, and national development,” Okunnu remarked.

He urged participants to share their newly acquired knowledge with colleagues to maximize institutional benefits.

The participants for the training were drawn from staff of both the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation.

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