ABUJA — The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has emphasized that Nigeria’s quest for sustainable national development is inextricably tied to the effectiveness of its civil service, describing it as the “engine room” of policy implementation and institutional stability.
Dr. Alake made the remarks on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, during a panel session at the Maiden International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja, where senior government officials, reform experts, and delegates from across Africa gathered to chart a new course for public sector excellence.
Speaking on the role of institutions in national transformation, the Minister stressed that political leaders may craft visionary policies, but it is the civil service that translates those visions into tangible outcomes for citizens.
“No government—regardless of how brilliant its agenda may be—can achieve lasting impact without a disciplined, knowledgeable, and forward-looking civil service,” Alake said. “The civil service is not a support system; it is the driving force behind any meaningful reform or national progress.”
He noted that while past reforms have had varying levels of success, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to repositioning the civil service through digitisation, performance-based promotions, training, and ethical accountability.
Dr. Alake also highlighted the link between governance efficiency and economic development, especially in sectors like solid minerals, where regulatory clarity, inter-agency coordination, and investor confidence are directly shaped by bureaucratic effectiveness.
The session drew reactions from fellow participants, many of whom echoed the need for a professional, non-politicised civil service that can operate efficiently irrespective of political transitions. The Minister called on civil servants to embrace innovation, continuous learning, and patriotism in discharging their duties.
The International Civil Service Conference, hosted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, is focused on the theme: “Building Smart Institutions for Effective Service Delivery in the 21st Century.” It is Nigeria’s first such forum for high-level engagement on civil service reform with international participants.
