The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, has called for greater innovation, citizen participation and inclusiveness in the delivery of public services, stressing that responsive and accountable institutions are critical to meeting the growing expectations of Nigerians.
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‎Arabi made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering his opening remarks at the Bureau’s maiden Public Lecture held to commemorate the 2026 United Nations Public Service Day with the theme, “Transforming Public Institutions: Advancing Innovation, Participation and Inclusion.”
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‎He said the lecture series, which would now hold annually every June, was conceived to translate global standards into national reform priorities, promote best practices and galvanise public support for reforms across all sectors.
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‎According to him, citizens across the world now demand faster, more transparent and more responsive public services, making it imperative for governments to embrace reforms that strengthen institutions and improve service delivery.
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‎”The thrust of this year’s theme addresses three interconnected pillars – innovation, participation and inclusion. These are indispensable to building efficient, resilient and people-centred public institutions,” he said.
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‎Arabi noted that Nigeria had made considerable progress in tackling institutional bottlenecks, legacy systems, fragmented processes and limited citizen engagement through deliberate reforms, strategic partnerships and effective leadership.
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‎He highlighted the role of digital technologies, data analytics and process redesign in modernising public administration and creating timely and efficient services.
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‎The BPSR DG also underscored the importance of citizen participation, noting that Nigeria’s commitment to initiatives such as the Open Government Partnership (OGP) requires expanding opportunities for dialogue, co-creation and feedback mechanisms that promote continuous improvement in governance.
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‎He emphasised that transformative reforms must be inclusive, ensuring that women, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are not left behind.
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‎”Public institutions exist to serve citizens. When we place human dignity, fairness and equal opportunity at the centre of reforms, we build institutions that earn public trust,” he stated.
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‎Arabi commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing policies and programmes aimed at fostering innovation, participation and inclusiveness under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎He cited initiatives in digital innovation, participatory governance, student support programmes and women empowerment schemes, noting that they have strengthened Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading digital innovation ecosystems.
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‎The DG also pointed to the gains recorded through public financial management reforms, including the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), online auditing platforms and one-stop service centres, which have enhanced transparency and reduced inefficiencies.
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‎He advocated clear reform roadmaps, measurable targets, robust accountability mechanisms and performance-based incentives to sustain the momentum of reforms across the public sector.
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‎Arabi further urged public institutions to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into governance frameworks and prepare for emerging challenges posed by climate change, extreme weather events, flooding and environmental pressures that affect health, infrastructure and service delivery.
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‎He disclosed that the day’s activities would culminate in an awards ceremony to honour outstanding individuals and institutions that have distinguished themselves in service to the public sector.
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‎The BPSR DG equally expressed appreciation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack; development partners including DFID, PERL, FCDO, the World Bank, European Union, MacArthur Foundation, Right to Know Initiative (R2K), Accountability Lab and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency, as well as Crystal Edge Management and Technical Limited, for their support towards the success of the event.
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‎He also acknowledged the presence of ministers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers of MDAs and members of the diplomatic corps.
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‎Signed
‎Aliyu Umar, FNIR
Head, Strategic Communications
‎24 June, 2026
