The Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards reforming its civil service by learning from one of the world’s most efficient systems. In January 2025, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, mni, led a delegation of 20 State Heads of Service and select Federal Permanent Secretaries on a four-day study visit to Singapore.
The tour, designed to uncover best practices in public service delivery, focused on key aspects of the Singaporean Civil Service, which is globally renowned for its innovation, efficiency, and transformative impact on national development.
On behalf of the Federal Permanent Secretaries, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, outlined critical lessons from the visit, including:
Futuristic Thinking: Singapore’s civil service emphasizes forward-thinking strategies to anticipate and address future challenges.
Sense of Community: A collective sense of responsibility has been a cornerstone of Singapore’s development success.
Resilience and Realism: Despite limited natural resources, Singapore transformed challenges into opportunities for growth.
Regulatory Excellence: Continuous review of policies and regulations ensures consistent improvement.
Competency-Driven Workforce: Emphasis on building a skilled and adaptable workforce has sustained Singapore’s competitiveness.
Ambassador Aduda commended Mrs. Walson-Jack for her leadership in facilitating the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward creating a world-class Nigerian civil service. “This study tour underscores the government’s commitment to transformative reforms. The insights gained will drive meaningful changes that prioritize innovation and citizen-centric governance,” he stated.
He further assured that the delegation would implement the knowledge gained to benefit Nigerians and enhance service delivery across the public sector.
The Ministry of Defence and other participating agencies view the study tour as a catalyst for shaping a more dynamic, efficient, and citizen-focused civil service that will strengthen national development.