Home » 2025 Agenda 25 June

Wednesday 25 June

All times quoted are West Africa Time (WAT).

Main stages  |  Roundtables

2025 AGENDA

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Main stages

Bringing together public service leaders from around Nigeria, the International Civil Service Conference explored how public servants can face new challenges through rejuvenating, innovating and accelerating the civil service. Our core agenda covered a range of topics including, digital transformation, workforce, culture, mission-driven government, sustainability and much more.

To see what happened on each of our 8 stages, please select the tab of the stage you want to know more about:

 

 

07:30 - 09:00

  Registration

 
09:00 - 09:50

Welcome Address (Live-streamed to other stages)

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita

 
10:00 - 10:45

Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change (Live-streamed to other stages)

Effectively managing change is a challenge for civil services around the world, with many looking at how to align organisational structures with the goals of better delivery of services. This session will look at how governments around the world are changing how they work to become more responsive, and will share insight on change management methodologies, stakeholder engagement best practice, and how to sustain momentum in reform initiatives.​

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:45

The Case for Simplification: Combating Bureaucratic Bottlenecks

Complexity is the enemy of progress. This session will examine how excessive procedures and redundant processes can slow public service delivery and stifle innovation. In this session, innovative leaders will explore tools and mindsets to combat bureaucratic bottlenecks across government, discussing how to simplify administrative systems, streamline approvals, and design leaner operations – without compromising accountability.

Lead Speaker:

Amb. Gabriel Aduda

Speakers:

Aishetu Ndayako

Dr Kimpah Abubakar
11:55 - 12:05

Insuring National Value: Unlocking economic potential through strategic risk management in the Civil Service

Main Speaker:

Coronation
12:10 - 13:00

Consequence Management in the Civil Service: Reforming Discipline and Grievance Systems

Main Speaker:

Prof. Olatunji Olaopa

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
13:00 - 14:30

Lunch and Networking
14:30 - 15:15

Leveraging Philanthropic Partnerships for Civil Service Effectiveness

As governments face increasingly complex challenges — from digital transformation to climate resilience and inclusive economic growth — a growing number of public sectors are embracing partnerships with philanthropic organisations to drive meaningful reform. In this dynamic session, global public service leaders will share how strategic engagement with philanthropic foundations has helped them unlock new capabilities, test innovations at pace, and scale successful interventions.

This session will explore how philanthropic partnerships can act as accelerants to civil service reform, complementing government investment and expertise with agile funding, innovation labs, and access to global networks.

Participants will hear from civil servants who have co-designed initiatives with philanthropic organisations to transform public sector recruitment, deliver digital public goods, and build data-driven capabilities. It will also consider the challenges – from power dynamics to sustainability – and how to ensure that such partnerships remain accountable to public priorities.

Lead Speaker:

Mrs. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke

Speakers:

Markus Wagner

Otunba Bimbola Ashiru

Mr Luvuyo Rani
15:30 - 16:00

Future-Proofing the Procurement Workforce: Skills, Technology, and Professionalization

Procurement sits at the heart of government capability – yet remains a persistent challenge. This session explores how countries are transforming procurement into a strategic lever for national development, equipping procurement professionals with the tools, ethics, and digital skills needed to deliver value, transparency, and innovation.

Participants will hear from global leaders in procurement reform and explore how governments including Nigeria can build a world-class procurement workforce capable of advancing public sector goals efficiently and with integrity.

Main Speaker:

Mr. Ben Farrell

Moderator:

Dr Adebowale Adedokun  (DG, BPP)
16:05 - 16:15

Keynote
16:30 - 17:20

Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships - OHCSF-UNDP MoU signing Ceremony

(Live-streamed to other stages)

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

Registration

 
09:00 - 09:50

 

Livestream of Welcome address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
10:00 - 10:50

Livestream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

Performance & Results Orientation: Meeting Deadlines and Delivering on Mandates

Governments around the world are grappling with what has become known as an execution gap – with services struggling to meet the pace required in a fast-evolving world. This session will explore mechanisms in government to enhance performance and accountability – from improving how performance is managed in government, to how to put evidence at the heart of how government works.  

Evidence-based policy is key to realising more innovative government. It can be used to develop the most innovative approaches through trials and pilots, and can set up frameworks to analyse the effectiveness of policy interventions.  

In this session, public servants from around the world will share their experiences on developing policy, providing insights for civil servants on how to use the best information, how to evaluate it, and how to use scientific insight in their work.  

Lead Speaker: 

Mr. Olusegun Adekunle

Speakers:

Magdalene Ajani

Ngozi Azodoh
12:00 - 12:50

Process Innovation: Innovation Within the System: Encouraging and Scaling Employee-led solutions

Speakers:

Yusuf Abubakar

Anonymous Reporting System

Compro
12:50 - 14:40

 

Lunch and Networking

 
14:40 - 15:30

Enhancing Trust and Resilience in Public Service through an efficient and effective Employees' Compensation Scheme

Lead Speakers:

Oluwaseun Faleye, Esq

NSITF Team
15:40 - 16:30

Communicating A Vision and Mandate Effectively Across the Public Service

Lead Speaker:

Mallam Lanra Issa Onilu

Speakers:

Ayodele Folayan

Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba

Mr Andrew Adejo
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

Registration

 
09:00 - 09:50

 

Live Stream of Welcome Address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
10:00 - 10:50

Live Stream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

Trust, Ethics, and Cultural Transformation: From Indifference to Passion: Reawakening Enthusiasm in the Civil Service

Speakers:

Kachollum Daju

Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote

Dr. Chinyere Akujobi

Moderator:

Dr Francisca Odeka

12:00 - 12:50

Procurement as a Pillar of National Development: Building Institutions that Deliver

Lead Speaker:

Engr Emeka Eze

Speaker:

Dr Adebowale Adedokun

M.J. Aliyu

Rafiu Adeladan
12:50 - 14:40

 

Lunch and Networking

 
14:40 - 15:30

Mindsets, Motivation & Behaviour I

Civil services have moved to implement recruitment systems based on meritocracy. This session will look at how governments have developed and implemented merit-based recruitment systems. It will look at the key principles that governments need to adopt to create merit systems, how to keep them up-to-date and responsive to modern needs, and how to embed performance-based advancement and tackle nepotism and favouritism.

Lead Speaker:

Ms. Modupe Bankole

Speakers:

Helen Anyakwo

Tetshoma Dafeta

Innocent Eteng
15:40 - 16:30

Mindsets, Motivation & Behaviour II

Civil services have moved to implement recruitment systems based on meritocracy. This session will look at how governments have developed and implemented merit-based recruitment systems. It will look at the key principles that governments need to adopt to create merit systems, how to keep them up-to-date and responsive to modern needs, how to embed performance-based advancement and tackle nepotism and favouritism.​

Lead Speaker:

Tijjani M. Borodo

Speakers:

Fatima Kakuri

Falalu Bawale

Dr. Celestina Nkechi Eke, mni
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

  Registration

 
09:00 - 09:45

Live Stream of Welcome address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita

 
10:00 - 10:45

Live Stream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

Digital Transformation: Digital Skills for Civil Servants: Capacity Gaps and Future-Readiness

This practical session will look at the key digital competencies required for modern public service. The session will discuss the key skills government needs for transformation, how governments can assess their capabilities, and how to improve the skills of civil servants at scale. It will also examine the changes that government needs to make to better use public data, with insights from public servants around the world on to how to drive better, more responsive and personalised services.

Lead Speaker:

PS Faruk Yabo Yusuf

Speakers:

Kevin Cunnington

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi

Wumi Oghoetuoma-Jolomi
12:00 - 12:50

Institutional Culture and Ecosystems: Overcoming Resistance: Leading Culture Change in Legacy Systems

Creating an innovative culture in government requires work by leaders to build a culture that encourages new approaches to public service delivery. This practical session will discuss how leaders at different levels of government can create the right atmosphere for doing things differently. In this session, leaders will explore strategies for overcoming resistance and embedding innovation into the organisational fabric, and how to pilot the new approaches that can improve public service delivery.

Main Speaker: 

Dr Otive Igbuzor

Moderator:

Claire Adelabu Abdulrasaq
12:50 - 14:40

Lunch and networking

 
15:40 - 16:30

Performance & Results Orientation - Accelerating the Transition from Hard Work to Smart Work

Lead Speaker:

Nasir Yammama

Speakers:

Nanna Nandep

Mr Uwem Ekpo

Innocent Ejolu
15:40 - 16:30

Breaking Down Functional Silos: Building a Culture of Inter-Ministerial Cooperation

Lead Speaker:

Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah

Speakers:

Amb Nura Rimi

Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma

Mr. Maduka Onwusoro
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

  Registration

 
09:00 - 09:50

Live Stream of Welcome address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
10:00 - 10:50

Live Stream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

Digital Transformation & Process Innovation: Reimagining Public Service Through Digital Tools and Process Automation

Lead Speaker:

Dr. Joe Abah

Speakers:

Ibrahim A. Adeyanju

Vincent Olatunji

Hamza Khayat
12:00 - 12:50

Building a highly skilled, inclusive and thriving public sector workforce

Lead Speaker:

Princess Gloria Akobundu

Speakers:

Elisha Benjamin

Mrs Funke Adepoju

Tunde Adeniran
12:50 - 14:40

Lunch and networking

 
14:40 - 15:30

Managing strategic stakeholders’ relationships

Main Speaker:

Engr Suleiman Adamu
15:40 - 16:30

The Planning Problem: Addressing Inconsistency and Weak Execution

Lead Speakers:

Dr. Lawal Zakari

Speakers:

Mr. Richard Pheelangwa

Dr. Vitalis Obi

Engr. Gagare Nadungu
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

Registration
09:00 - 09:50

 

Live Stream of Welcome Address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
10:00 - 10:50

Live Stream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

The Weight of Societal Demands: Navigating External Pressures on Civil Servants

Main Speaker: 

Mr Ayodele Folayan

Speakers:

Dr Shuaib Belgore

Mr Chinasa Ogbodo
12:00 - 12:50

Rejuvenating Public Service: Strategies for Personal and Institutional Renewal

Focus:
• Wellness and mental health for civil servants
• Combating burnout and fostering resilience

Main Speaker: 

Nath Mcabraham-Inajoh

Moderator:

Dr Comfort Adeosun
12:50 - 14:40

 

Lunch and Networking

 
14:40 - 15:30

The Silent Strength of Leadership: Confidentiality, Ethics and National Interest in High Public Office

Lead Speaker:

Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Marsh

Speakers:

Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan

Mr. Temitope Fashedemi

Dr. Mary Ogbe
15:40 - 16:30

Strategic Deployment and Mentorship: Lessons from Managing Pool Officers in the Civil Service

Speakers:

Mahmuda Mamman

Marcus Ogunbiyi

Dr. Dunoma Ahmed

Moderator:

Amb. Suleiman Mustapha
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

  Registration

 
09:00 - 09:50

Live Stream of Welcome address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
10:00 - 10:50

Live Stream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

My Civil Service, My Future

  • Understand the critical role of young civil servants in driving reform.​ 
  • Discuss strategies to overcome disillusionment and maintain commitment in a slow-moving system.​ 

Lead Speaker:

Layefa Bozimo

Speakers:

Ramatu Bello

Anthony Ogwo

Oluwakemi Banjo
12:00 - 12:50

Innovation from Below – Reform is Also My Job

  • Showcase mini case studies of innovations led by young officers.​ 
  • Explore how to navigate hierarchical challenges and gain management support for grassroots initiatives.

 Lead Speaker:

Mrs. Sarah Agbaka

Speakers:

Mustapha Abdulkhadir

Victor Ahmed

Aliyu Suleiman Salihu

Rikko Owutti
12:50 - 14:40

Lunch and networking

 
14:40 - 15:30

Building Your Public Service Career as an Administrator

Goal setting and fast-tracking your development.
Certifications, scholarships, and professional networks. What promotion really takes.

Main Speaker:

Dr. Yetunde Anyanya

Moderator:

Mrs Eno Olotu
15:40 - 16:30

Building the Next Generation of Public Sector Leaders: Voices from LEAD-P Officers

Main Speaker:

Mrs. Helen Garpiya

Speakers:

Lawrence Agbo

Tunde Sadibo

Uchenna Kene-Okoye
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

 

07:30 - 09:00

  Registration

 
09:00 - 09:50

Live Stream of Welcome address from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
10:00 - 10:50

Live Stream of Civil Service Transformation: Managing Change from Transform Stage

Main Speaker: 

Dr. Joe Abah

Moderator:

Siobhan Benita
11:00 - 11:50

Human Resource and Work Redesign

Governments worldwide are racing to future-proof their civil services. From climate action to digital service delivery, the challenges of today demand a workforce that is not only technically capable but agile, ethical, and collaborative. This session will examine how public services around the world are rethinking workforce planning, learning strategies, and recruitment to equip civil servants with the competencies they need now and into the future.

Main Speaker: 

Chizoba Mojekwu

Moderator:

Olufunke Taiwo Akinwumi
12:00 - 12:50

Breaking Down Functional Silos: Building a Culture of Inter-unit Cooperation

Lead Speaker:

Dr Samson Ebimaro

Speaker:

Anthony Okungbowa

Dr Emanso Umobong

Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye
12:50 - 14:40

Lunch and networking

 
14:40 - 15:30

Redefining Job Roles: From Ambiguity to Clear Descriptions and Expectations

Lead Speaker:

Dr. Anthonia Ekpa

Speakers:

Dr. Christopher Isokpunwu

Kambari Mahmud
15:40 - 16:30

Citizen Engagement and Participation: How the Civil Service Can Listen and Respond to Public Feedback

Speaker:

Patrick Otoro

Moderator

Claire Adelabu Abdulrasaq
16:30 - 17:20

Live Stream of Strengthening Public Sector Capacity through Strategic Partnerships from Transform Stage

Lead Speakers:

Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, HCSF

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria

Moderator:

Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh

Roundtable discussions

As part of the event and additional to the core agenda, we curate a series of roundtable discussions for senior leaders to explore specific topics with colleagues from across government and the public service. The roundtables provide an opportunity for leaders to exchange their views and experiences and hear from colleagues tackling similar issues.

11:00-12:30

Roundtable 1 – Leading With Words: Communication As A Leadership Tool

Leadership today requires more than decision-making — it requires storytelling, clarity, and connection. This session will explore how permanent secretaries and agency leaders can use communication as a tool to build trust internally and externally, align teams with reform objectives, and inspire public confidence in government. 

From internal change communications to interagency messaging and citizen engagement, leaders will examine practical strategies for using communication to drive reform ownership, motivate staff, and create a shared vision for service transformation under FCSSIP 2021–2025. 

Key Questions: 

  • How can leaders shape narratives that build support for reform? 
  • What communication styles foster alignment across complex bureaucracies? 
  • How can government leaders regain the trust of their workforce and the public? 

Roundtable Lead:

Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba 
 
Co Lead:

Chinyere Obi-Obasi

This roundtable is only open to open to Perm Secs, State Heads of Service and Directors Communication

Roundtable 2 – Anticipate, Act, Achieve: Best Practices for Modern Governance

Resilient governance requires anticipation and adaptability. This session brings senior leaders together to explore how government institutions can move from reactive to proactive, from fragmented to coordinated, and from siloed to systems-based thinking.

Through dialogue on early warning systems, foresight planning, and adaptive decision-making, leaders will share lessons on managing uncertainty — from climate shocks to security challenges to economic shifts. Examples from other governments will illustrate how foresight is embedded into policymaking and reform design.

Key Questions:

  • What institutional mechanisms help governments stay ahead of change?
  • How do other countries embed scenario planning and policy agility into core operations?
  • How can Nigeria use strategic foresight to future-proof the FCSSIP agenda?

Roundtable Lead:

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

This roundtable is only open to Federal Perm Secs, HOSs and CEOs

Roundtable 3 – Technology for Transformation – Leveraging AI, Data, and Digital Platforms

Digital transformation is a cornerstone of the FCSSIP reform vision. This session explores how senior leaders can use technology to modernise operations, improve transparency, and elevate service delivery — not just as an IT issue, but as a core leadership priority.

Leaders will share progress on digital service implementation, explore how AI and data analytics are being applied in other civil services, and discuss how to build digital capacity and governance structures at the top levels of MDAs.

Key Questions:

  • How can senior leaders make digital delivery a core part of their strategic agenda?
  • What use cases for AI and big data are showing real results in government?
  • How can Nigeria build the leadership and policy structures required to scale digital platforms sustainably?

Roundtable Leads:

Dr. Gideon Adogbo

DG, NITDA

NC, NDPC

This roundtable is only open to Federal Perm Secs, State Heads of Service and Fed Directors

14:40-16:10

Roundtable 1 – Political-Bureaucratic Interface: Aligning Political Agendas with Technocratic Continuity

At the heart of effective governance lies the delicate balance between political vision and administrative continuity. This leadership roundtable brings together senior civil service executives to discuss how ministries, departments, and agencies can align long-term technocratic goals with evolving political mandates, ensuring coherence, resilience, and delivery.Participants will explore how to embed FCSSIP 2021–2025 objectives into policy execution regardless of electoral cycles, strengthen institutional memory, and foster constructive relationships with political leadership. This conversation will examine how to manage transitions and safeguarding professionalism in building a trusted, non-partisan civil service.

Key Questions:

  • How can civil service leaders strengthen alignment without politicisation?
  • What mechanisms ensure continuity of reform agendas amid leadership changes?
  • How do successful systems institutionalise technocratic excellence?

Roundtable Lead:

Dr Joe Abah

This roundtable is only open to Open to serving State Heads of Service and Federal Perm Secs

Roundtable 2 – Accelerating Partnerships and Global Benchmarking | Commonwealth and Global Civil Service Forum: Benchmarking Against Excellence 

What does excellence in civil service look like globally — and how can Nigeria lead within the Commonwealth and beyond? This roundtable invites senior leaders to reflect on international civil service benchmarks and explore how to leverage global partnerships to accelerate domestic reform.

Drawing on FCSSIP’s ambition to strengthen capabilities, participants will discuss frameworks for international benchmarking, cross-border peer learning, and formal collaboration platforms. Leaders will be encouraged to identify opportunities to pilot new approaches and scale successful models through global exchange.

Key Questions:

  • What does it mean to ‘benchmark against excellence’ in today’s civil service?
  • How can Nigeria position itself as a leader within the African and Commonwealth public service space?
  • What global partnerships are under-utilised in advancing reform?

Roundtable Lead:

Elsie Attafuah

This roundtable is only open to HOS, PS, DG

Roundtable 3 – Purposeful delivery: empowering Public Servants to deliver government priorities

In complex systems, civil servants can easily be overwhelmed by competing directives and unclear objectives. This roundtable will address how senior leaders can establish clear, credible priorities and empower teams to deliver results with focus and accountability. 

Leaders will discuss the use of delivery units, results frameworks, performance agreements, and agile working groups to improve coordination and drive impact. The conversation will highlight how purpose-led leadership, backed by data and clarity of mission, enables better performance across ministries and agencies. 

Key Questions: 

  • What approaches have proven most effective in setting clear and achievable priorities across departments? 
  • How can we empower teams to take initiative while maintaining accountability to national goals? 
  • What delivery or performance management models have worked well in other civil services — and how adaptable are they to Nigeria? 
  • How can civil servants be supported to focus on outcomes, rather than activities or compliance? 
  • How can we create systems for better cross-ministerial coordination and delivery tracking? 

Roundtable Leads:

Mr. Alfred Abah

Lawrence Adigwe

This roundtable is only open to Federal Perm Secs and Federal CEOs