Public service bureau partners HoS to improve accountability

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms has solidified a strategic partnership with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to advance public accountability and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s civil service.

The Head, Strategic Communication at BPSR, Aliyu Umar, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday.

Speaking during a collaborative meeting with the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, highlighted the critical importance of the partnership in transforming the public sector.

“The BPSR is ready to work closely with the OHCSF to ensure that reform initiatives are effectively implemented, creating a public service that is more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centered,” he stated.

Arabi emphasised ongoing reforms targeting institutionalised performance management, promotion of innovation, and accelerated digitalization across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

“Performance management issues persisted because there were so many competing other activities to deal with. And so we decided that, okay, we need to set a day apart you must do it on Thursdays, so that is yielding a lot of results, and we are sure that by next year, our appraisal should be fully based on that system,” he said.

Highlighting advancements in digitalisation, Arabi announced plans to establish enterprise content management systems and fully digitalize ten ministries by the end of the year.

“These innovations, alongside the validation of key policies like the reform and recognition policy and mentoring framework, are milestones in making the civil service more effective and transparent,” Arabi stated.

Additionally, he revealed plans for a stakeholder engagement Programme to gather feedback from Nigerian citizens on service delivery.

“We are aware that our number one customers are the Nigerian citizens. If not satisfied, how can we improve to serve them better?” he added.

The meeting drew attendance from senior officials, including Permanent Secretaries and representatives of partner organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the World Bank.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack reaffirmed her dedication to modernizing the civil service in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This collaboration marks the beginning of a robust partnership that will drive reforms in the service to a logical conclusion and ensure their sustainability,” she stated.