The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr. Dasuki I. Arabi, has called on public servants to embrace transformational leadership, accountability, innovation and citizen-centred governance to improve public service delivery in Nigeria.
Arabi made the call at the opening of a two-day Leadership Bootcamp themed “Leading Public Service in a Transforming World,” organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in collaboration with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano.
He noted that effective public service leadership goes beyond occupying positions of authority, stressing that leaders must demonstrate the capacity to manage change, strengthen institutions and translate government policies into measurable outcomes that improve citizens’ lives.
According to him, public service leaders must view their responsibilities as a form of stewardship, characterised by ethical conduct, transparency, professionalism and the responsible management of public resources.
“Our success should be measured not only by plans and processes, but by the quality, accessibility and timeliness of the services citizens receive,” the Director-General emphasised.
He urged public servants to strengthen their capacity for change management, team building, evidence-based decision-making and inter-institutional collaboration, while reviewing outdated practices that create unnecessary administrative bottlenecks.
The BPSR Director-General reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to promoting an efficient, transparent, citizen-centred and results-oriented public service.
He highlighted the importance of institutional assessments, performance standards, digital innovation and citizen engagement mechanisms in identifying operational gaps, improving institutional performance and strengthening accountability across government.
Arabi also stressed that sustainable public service reforms require more than policy documents and technological solutions, noting that effective leadership, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation are essential to successful reform implementation.
He explained that public service leaders must communicate the purpose of reforms clearly, engage relevant stakeholders, listen to feedback and sustain the momentum required to achieve institutional transformation.
The Director-General encouraged participants to actively engage in the two-day bootcamp and translate the knowledge gained into practical improvements within their respective institutions.
He further acknowledged the collaboration between BPSR and Image Merchants Promotion Limited, noting that partnerships combining institutional reform expertise, communication capacity and practical learning can contribute to more effective public service transformation.
Arabi urged participants to keep citizens at the centre of their deliberations and pursue reforms that promote integrity, improve service standards, embrace appropriate digital solutions and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
He maintained that an effective public service remains critical to national development, economic growth, access to essential services and the creation of opportunities for citizens.
The Leadership Bootcamp is designed to provide a platform for participants to reflect on public service leadership, exchange practical experiences and identify approaches for improving institutional performance and service delivery.
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