The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has reiterated its unwavering support for the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s Civil Service, aligning itself with the strategic reform initiatives of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
The ministry, under the leadership of Idi Maiha and permanent secretary, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, sectoral transformation and excellent public service delivery as key drivers of the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Tinubu.
The ministry’s top officials joined President Tinubu and other dignitaries at the official opening of the maiden International Civil Service Conference, held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Eagle Square, Abuja, marking a major highlight of this year’s Civil Service Week. President Tinubu, in his address, described civil servants as the silent architects of stability and progress in Nigeria’s governance system. He emphasised that civil servants play a critical role in sustaining democratic institutions and delivering essential public services, noting that they are not merely support staff but key stakeholders in the nation’s journey toward inclusive growth and national development.
As part of his renewed commitment to civil service reform, the President announced the commencement of a personnel audit and skills gap analysis across ministries, departments and agencies to ensure optimal deployment of human resources. He also restated his administration’s dedication to improving civil servant welfare, referencing the new minimum wage, consequential salary adjustments and the Pension Bond Scheme. He stressed that accurate and secure data would remain central to all reform efforts, directing all MDAs to uphold the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by enhancing data management protocols.
Addressing the conference, Walson-Jack described the week-long event as a movement toward renewal, technology-driven service and global relevance. She highlighted major reform milestones, including the rollout of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECM) for a paperless office, the introduction of a robust performance management system and the expansion of capacity-building efforts tailored to the emerging needs of a digital civil service.
Throughout the week, the Ministry of Livestock Development actively participated in a series of reform-focused engagements, ranging from commissioning the newly renovated office of the Head of Civil Service foyer and reception gallery, to a thanksgiving service, networking sessions and a grand awards night at the State House Banquet Hall. These events, themed “Leveraging Technology for a Smart & Agile Public Service,” sought to spotlight innovation and performance excellence across the federal civil service.
As part of its own contributions to the celebrations, the ministry showcased a vibrant exhibition featuring improved pasture seeds, fresh livestock products, veterinary vaccines, PPEs, and a demonstration by a beekeeper using a smoking can, all designed to highlight practical innovations driving the livestock sector.
The minister, who toured the exhibition with the permanent secretary, commended the ingenuity and dedication of staff, stating that the ministry’s approach to food security, rural prosperity and economic diversification remains rooted in a dynamic and responsive public service. He underscored that livestock development is not just about animal production but also about empowering communities, building resilience and ensuring national food sufficiency through evidence-based practices.
Akujobi praised the civil service leadership for a well-organised and impactful Civil Service Week, adding that the ministry would continue to deepen collaboration with stakeholders in the sector, especially frontline civil servants whose daily work underpins national policy implementation.
According to a statement by the ministry’s director of press and public relations, Ben Bem Goong, one of the major highlights of the week was the recognition of Lawrence Agbor, an assistant director in the office of the permanent secretary, who received a distinguished service award at the closing ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The recognition, Goong noted, reflects the ministry’s deep appreciation for diligence, excellence and its renewed commitment to nurturing a high-performing workforce.
