Nigeria has taken a significant step toward modernizing its public service as top government officials participate in a landmark Senior Executive Leadership Programme in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at accelerating public sector reforms and enhancing governance.
The programme, which runs from May 17 to 23, 2025, is organized by the United Nations in collaboration with the UAE Government Experience Exchange Office. It brings together senior Nigerian civil servants and policymakers for high-impact training in digital transformation, policy innovation, and adaptive leadership.
Leading the Nigerian delegation is the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni. She is joined by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Permanent Secretaries, and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), among others.
The initiative is aligned with Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP 25) and supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration. It also contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
According to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the programme will feature strategic dialogues with more than 15 UAE government agencies, as well as peer-to-peer learning experiences designed to expose Nigerian officials to international best practices in public service delivery.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, GCON, is also facilitating the programme, underscoring the global significance of Nigeria’s commitment to transforming its civil service.
The leadership training is expected to yield measurable outcomes in Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, policy reforms, and service delivery efficiency. Officials say the exposure will contribute to building a more responsive and forward-looking public service that can meet the challenges of a modern governance framework.
The initiative reflects Nigeria’s broader effort to strengthen public institutions and establish a civil service capable of driving national development and innovation.
