The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) actively participated in the 2025 International Civil Service Conference held at Eagle Square, Abuja, reaffirming its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and prudent fiscal governance in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.
Themed around innovation, transformation, and service excellence, the high-level conference attracted over 5,000 delegates from more than 30 countries. It served as a dynamic platform to deliberate on the future of civil service and foster international collaboration on public sector reform.
In his keynote address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized the central role of civil servants in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda, positioning the civil service as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national transformation. He charged civil servants to be architects of innovation, accountability, and public trust, stating, “Civil servants, you are not just the backbone of effective administration across borders but the very essence of it.”
The President underscored the need for a data-driven, agile, and innovative public sector, calling for a comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to enhance capacity and drive reform. These directives align closely with the mandate of the FRC under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, particularly in promoting effective planning, coordination, and monitoring of fiscal policies and frameworks.
President Tinubu also highlighted the importance of data transparency and benchmarking, stating, “We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally… This will allow global benchmarking organizations to track our progress in real-time.” This data-forward approach resonates with FRC’s mandate to promote fiscal transparency through timely and accurate reporting by government institutions.
Speaking at the conference, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, made a strong call to action to civil servants, particularly younger professionals, to reimagine governance and embrace innovation with boldness. She cited key reforms already achieved under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021-2025), such as the automation of civil service operations and the deployment of Service-Wise GPT, a homegrown AI solution.
Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasized that “business as usual is no longer acceptable,” advocating for rejuvenation, innovation, and acceleration in delivering quality public services. Her call for inclusive leadership and ethical governance further reinforces FRC’s role in supporting credible public financial management, as stipulated in the FRA 2007.
For the FRC, the conference provided an important platform to deepen its interagency collaboration, strengthen institutional partnerships, and align its fiscal oversight responsibilities with emerging global best practices in public sector management. The Commission reiterated its commitment to working with MDAs and development partners to drive reforms that ensure fiscal discipline, sustainable debt management, and improved service delivery.
The participation of FRC in the conference underscores its strategic role in Nigeria’s ongoing governance transformation and demonstrates how the principles enshrined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 remain central to the country’s public service renewal journey.