The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Dasuki I. Arabi, has emphasized the need for digital resilience and inclusion as critical drivers of Nigeria’s transition to a smart economy.
Speaking at the 2026 Information Technology Professionals Assembly held at the NAF Conference Centre on Wednesday, Mr. Arabi said digital technology has become the backbone of modern governance, commerce, education, healthcare, security, and public service delivery.
The BPSR Director-General, who delivered a goodwill message at the event, noted that while governments and institutions pursue digital transformation, there is also a growing need to ensure systems are resilient, secure, and inclusive.
According to him, the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms developed by BPSR recognizes e-governance as a strategic pillar for enhancing service delivery, strengthening performance monitoring, and improving public access to government information, including budget, contract, and payment platforms.
Mr. Arabi stated that the Bureau has consistently championed digital transformation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, digital literacy initiatives, e-governance systems, and data-driven decision-making processes aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
He further disclosed that BPSR has been collaborating with state governments and relevant stakeholders to replicate reform milestones and expand the benefits of digital innovation to citizens across the country.
Highlighting some of the Bureau’s interventions, the Director-General said BPSR has promoted the use of Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technologies in MDAs in line with the national e-master plan, facilitated capacity-building programmes in digital literacy, and supported the deployment of data analytics for planning, budgeting, monitoring, and citizen engagement.
Mr. Arabi stressed that a smart economy must guarantee access, opportunity, innovation, and participation for all citizens irrespective of gender, age, location, or social status, warning that no nation can attain true digital advancement while a large segment of its population remains digitally excluded.
He also underscored the importance of digital resilience in addressing cyber threats, misinformation, infrastructure disruptions, and rapid technological changes, urging stakeholders to continue building secure, adaptable, and reliable systems.
The BPSR boss called on Information Technology professionals to uphold professionalism, ethics, competence, and innovation while strengthening collaboration among government, industry, academia, and civil society to build a safe, inclusive, and future-ready digital ecosystem.
He commended the organizers of the assembly for creating a platform for experts and stakeholders to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s digital space and wished participants fruitful deliberations and impactful resolutions.
Aliyu Umar, FNIPR, FIIM
Head, Strategic Communications
15th May, 2026.
