President Bola Tinubu has approved the renewal of Nigeria’s National Strategy on Public Service Reforms, a move the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) says will update the country’s reform blueprint to reflect rapid changes in technology, government policy and governance.
Key Highlights
- Tinubu approves renewal of the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms.
- BPSR says the strategy will reflect emerging technologies including AI and blockchain.
- The new strategy is expected to cover the 2026–2030 reform cycle.
- BPSR has inaugurated task teams to develop the renewed strategy and reform compendium.
- New guidelines for establishing government agencies and monitoring board performance are also being developed.
- The reform agenda is linked to digital transformation, public-sector efficiency and improved service delivery.
Tinubu Approves New Public Service Reform Strategy
The approval was announced by BPSR Director-General Dasuki Arabi at the Child Online Safety Protection and Reporting of Abuse (COSPRA) 2026 summit in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Protecting Every Child in the AI Era: Building a Safe and Trusted Digital Future,” brought together regulators, internet stakeholders and child-protection advocates.
Arabi described the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms as the central framework guiding the bureau’s reform activities.
“The National Strategy on Public Service Reforms, which is the pillar around the reforms we’ve been driving, has been approved for renewal by the President,” Arabi said.
He explained that the strategy is reviewed periodically because of changes in government policy, technology and the wider operating environment.
AI and Blockchain to Feature in New Strategy
According to Arabi, developments that were not fully captured in the previous strategy include emerging government policies on the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology in the public service.
The renewed framework is therefore expected to address how emerging technologies can be integrated into government operations while strengthening efficiency, accountability and service delivery.
The development comes as federal agencies continue efforts to digitise public-sector processes and reduce reliance on paper-based systems. More information on the strategy is available on the BPSR website.
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BPSR Begins Work on 2026–2030 Reform Strategy
The announcement follows the inauguration of inter-ministerial task teams by Arabi on September 28, 2026.
The teams were assigned to develop the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms 2026–2030 and a new Compendium on Public Service Reforms.
They are also expected to develop guidelines for establishing government agencies and an oversight framework for board performance and compliance across ministries, departments and agencies.
Officials said the work is expected to be completed within six working weeks.
Four Major Pillars of Public Service Reform
BPSR, established in 2004, has positioned the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms as a coordinating framework for reform initiatives across government.
Earlier editions, including the 2023 revised strategy, outlined a vision of a world-class public service capable of implementing government policies with professionalism and integrity.
The strategy has focused on four broad areas:
- An enabling institutional and governance environment.
- Socio-economic development.
- Public financial management.
- Civil service administration.
BPSR has also stated its ambition for Nigeria’s public service to rank among the top 20 public services globally.
Digital Transformation Takes Centre Stage
Recent government reform efforts have increasingly focused on digital transformation.
BPSR has reported significant progress in the digitisation of federal payroll and public financial management processes, alongside measures aimed at eliminating ghost workers and expanding electronic workflow systems across government institutions.
The renewed strategy is expected to consolidate those developments while addressing gaps identified in previous reform cycles.
It will also need to account for emerging issues around artificial intelligence, data governance, cybersecurity and digital public services.
Public Service Reform Linked to Child Online Safety
Arabi used the COSPRA summit to explain why public-sector reform extends beyond administrative efficiency.
He argued that building a trusted digital environment requires government institutions capable of protecting citizens, responding to emerging threats and adapting to rapid technological changes.
The participation of regulators, technology stakeholders and child-protection advocates, he said, demonstrated the need for coordinated action rather than relying on a single government agency.
New Strategy Targets More Efficient Government
The renewed National Strategy on Public Service Reforms is expected to provide the framework for Nigeria’s public-sector reform agenda from 2026 to 2030.
Its implementation will determine how effectively the government translates digital transformation, institutional reform and emerging technology policies into improved public services.
The strategy will also provide a framework for coordinating reform initiatives across ministries, departments and agencies as the Federal Government seeks to modernise the public service and strengthen institutional performance. For more updates on this and other stories, follow us on X.
