Nigeria has begun implementing an ambitious digital transformation of its federal civil service, leveraging artificial intelligence and expanding paperless operations to reduce bureaucratic delays and attract investment.
Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, said the reforms are already improving how government agencies interact with businesses by shortening processing timelines and enhancing regulatory clarity.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement held in partnership with Phillips Consulting Limited, Walson-Jack noted that inefficiencies within government workflows have long slowed approvals and discouraged investment.
When government workflows are slow, approvals are delayed,” she said. “But every efficiency introduced into the civil service translates into faster processing, clearer communication, and more predictable regulation.”
Since assuming office in August 2024, Walson-Jack has overseen the expansion of the federal government’s paperless initiative from just three ministries to 38. The number of official email users across the service has also grown to about 115,000.
As part of the reforms, an online archive has been introduced, providing access to federal circulars dating back to 1995 replacing a system previously hindered by missing or inaccessible records.
At the centre of the transformation is ServiceWise GPT, an AI-powered platform trained on government policies and regulations. According to Walson-Jack, the tool has handled over 50,000 interactions and saves civil servants between two and three hours daily.
This is not theoretical, she said. The regulatory environment businesses deal with is becoming smarter, faster, and more efficient.
The initiative comes as Nigeria seeks to rebuild investor confidence amid longstanding concerns over red tape and policy inconsistency. Officials believe a more efficient civil service will improve contract execution and reduce delays in approvals.
When public records are fragmented, contracts take longer to execute. When capacity is weak, policy-driven investments become uncertain,” Walson-Jack added.
In addition, the government has launched a comprehensive personnel and skills audit aimed at addressing gaps in workforce data and capability. The exercise is expected to guide recruitment decisions and improve productivity across ministries.
Chairman of Phillips Consulting Limited, Foluso Phillips, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, especially as Nigeria undergoes what he described as a national reset.
The transformation of the public sector cannot happen in isolation. The private sector must contribute innovation, discipline, and a strong results-oriented approach key ingredients for modern governance, he said.
Beyond domestic reforms, Nigeria is also positioning itself as a global voice on public sector innovation.
The country is set to host the second International Civil Service Conference in May 2026, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and development partners to examine the future of governance in an AI-driven world.
Walson-Jack urged businesses to actively engage with the reform process, describing it as mutually beneficial.
A more efficient civil service gives businesses a competitive edge,” she said. This is enlightened self-interest.
