The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and BudgIT Foundation, has launched a capacity-building workshop aimed at reskilling and upskilling public servants in digital innovation, governance, and accountability.
The workshop, themed “AI-Driven Reforms: Strengthening Public Sector Innovation and Accountability,” was held on Thursday in Abuja.
In his opening remarks, BPSR Director-General, Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, underscored the need for Nigeria’s public institutions to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
“As Nigeria, like other nations, embraces AI to redefine the workings of the public service, we must not stand on the sidelines,” Arabi said. “The future of effective public service lies in how intelligently we integrate technology into governance systems to drive transparency, efficiency, and accountability.”
He noted that the modern public servant must go beyond administrative skills to become data-driven and technology-oriented.
“Every officer, manager, and executive must understand the strategic value of AI and data analytics in policy planning, budgeting, monitoring, and citizen engagement,” he added.
The DG cited recent government approvals for the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain, in line with Nigeria’s e-Government Master Plan, stressing that digital transformation is already being implemented across government institutions.
He also called for stronger partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society to accelerate AI adoption nationwide, anchored on ethics and trust.
“Technology is only as good as the values guiding its use,” Arabi noted. “Transparency in algorithmic decisions, data privacy, and fairness must remain central to our AI-driven reforms. Citizens must trust that technology is used to empower, not exclude them.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Dr. Zahrah Mustapha Audu, emphasised that AI is no longer futuristic but an essential tool for redefining public service delivery.
“Technologies like AI are vital to transforming how citizens experience government,” she said, commending BPSR for championing digital literacy and innovation within the civil service.
Representing the FCTA, Ajayi Rotimi Babatunde highlighted the relevance of AI in improving efficiency, productivity, and decision-making within the public sector.
He described artificial intelligence as a pathway to building a skilled and adaptive civil service fit for the present and the future
Signed
Aliyu Umar
Head, Strategic Communication (BPSR)
17/10/25
