The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr Dasuki I. Arabi, has urged public servants to embrace transformational leadership, accountability and innovation to improve service delivery in Nigeria.
Arabi made the call on Monday at the opening of a two-day Leadership Bootcamp themed “Leading Public Service in a Transforming World,” organised by the bureau in collaboration with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano.
He said effective public service leadership required more than occupying positions of authority, stressing the need for leaders to manage change, strengthen institutions and translate government policies into measurable outcomes that improve citizens’ lives.
The BPSR director-general described public service leadership as a responsibility that demands ethical conduct, transparency, professionalism and prudent management of public resources.
“Our success should be measured not only by plans and processes, but by the quality, accessibility and timeliness of the services citizens receive,” he said.
Arabi urged public servants to strengthen their capacity in change management, team building, evidence-based decision-making and inter-institutional collaboration, while reviewing outdated administrative practices that create unnecessary bottlenecks.
He reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to promoting an efficient, transparent, citizen-centred and results-oriented public service.
According to him, institutional assessments, performance standards, digital innovation and citizen engagement are essential tools for identifying operational gaps, improving institutional performance and strengthening accountability across government institutions.
He noted that sustainable reforms required more than policy documents and technological solutions, adding that effective leadership, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation were critical to successful implementation.
Arabi urged public service leaders to communicate the objectives of reforms clearly, engage relevant stakeholders, listen to feedback and sustain efforts towards institutional transformation.
He encouraged participants at the bootcamp to apply the knowledge and practical lessons gained during the programme to improve performance and service delivery in their respective institutions.
The director-general also commended the partnership between BPSR and IMPR, saying collaboration that combines institutional reform expertise, communication capacity and practical learning could contribute to more effective transformation of the public service.
He further called on participants to prioritise citizens in their deliberations and pursue reforms that promote integrity, improve service standards, encourage appropriate digital solutions and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
Arabi said an effective public service remained essential to national development, economic growth, access to essential services and the creation of opportunities for citizens.
The two-day bootcamp is designed to provide a platform for public service leaders to reflect on leadership practices, exchange experiences and identify strategies for improving institutional performance and service delivery.
