By Stella Odueme
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has launched three transformative initiatives: Service Wise GPT, GOVMail and the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy, as part of activities marking her 100 Days in Office with the theme, Marching to Greatness: Celebrating 100 Days.
Mrs Walson-Jack, during the launching held on Thursday in Abuja, disclosed that the initiatives will ensure that technology drives reforms and provide the foundation for a modernized Civil Service.
“Today marks the realization of a vision that I pledged upon assuming office to harness the power of technology to reposition our Civil Service as a bastion of efficiency, professionalism, and service excellence”.
She also stated that the launch of the triple initiatives reflects the shared goal of a civil service that is efficient, innovative, and dedicated to serving the citizens in line with a renewed commitment to reform the civil service, as outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).
She explained further that the newly launched GovMail is not just an official email platform dedicated to Civil Servants but also a secured and centralized communication tool designed to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and ensure the integrity of official correspondence.
On the Service-Wise GPT, the HCSF described the initiative as a groundbreaking leap in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support Civil Service operations.
“This intelligent assistant is designed to provide instant access to information, facilitate decision-making, and assist Civil Servants in performing their duties with greater efficiency” she said.
Mrs Walson-Jack believes that, “by leveraging AI, we are empowering Civil Servants to deliver prompt and effective service to Nigerians, reflecting our commitment to innovation and responsiveness.”
In the same vein, she described the newly launched Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy as an innovative platform that underscores the belief in the transformative power of knowledge.
According to her, “It offers Civil Servants the opportunity to upskill and reskill through a variety of online courses tailored to our unique needs, this academy will play a vital role in equipping our workforce with the competencies required to meet the challenges of a dynamic global landscape” she explained.
While reaffirming the resolve of the service to embrace change and propel the Federal Civil Service into a future defined by technology, excellence, and innovation, the HCSF acknowledged the invaluable contributions of her predecessor Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, whose foresight, and dedication she said laid the foundation for the conceptualization of the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy.
Mrs Walson-Jack also noted that the three platforms have been launched as beta versions to enable Civil Servants and stakeholders to provide constructive feedbacks thereby ensuring standardization. All Feedback is expected to be sent to betaversionfeedback@ohcsf.gov.ng where all inputs will be carefully reviewed to enhance the effectiveness of the platform.
“These initiatives are not merely tools, they represent a new mindset for our Civil Service, one that is forward-looking, adaptable, and resolutely committed to delivering exceptional service to the Nigerian people” she stated.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr Deborah. O.N. Odoh, acknowledged the dynamic leadership style of the HCSF, stating that under her watch the OHCSF has embarked on a journey towards excellence, driven by visionary initiatives to further strengthen the Federal Civil Service.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs Fatima Tabia Sugra Mahmood, thanked the HCSF for her unwavering dedication in driving reforms in the civil service. She said her visionary leadership has continued to inspire innovation and excellence in service delivery.
Mrs Mahmood noted that the launch of the digital tools highlights the power of collaboration and shared vision while acknowledging that the collective efforts of all stakeholders have turned the ambitious initiatives into a reality.
