The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has inaugurated the Steering and Local Organising Committees for the forthcoming 2026 International Civil Service Conference (ICSC), in a move aimed at strengthening institutional reforms and consolidating the success of the 2025 edition.
Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Mrs. Walson-Jack described the event as a “strategic step” toward positioning the Nigerian Civil Service as a globally competitive and benchmarked institution.
She commended members of the 2025 conference committees for their professionalism and commitment, noting that the maiden edition “set a new standard for international engagement and knowledge exchange among public administrators.”
“The 2025 conference provided valuable lessons that have now been documented in a newly developed International Civil Service Conference Manual. This guide will serve as a blueprint for future conferences, establishing clear standards, governance frameworks, and performance metrics,” Walson-Jack said.
According to her, the Steering Committee, which she chairs, will provide high-level policy direction, oversight, and resource mobilization to align the conference objectives with national reform priorities. It will also ensure transparent financial management and accountability throughout the planning process.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC), chaired by Dr. Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), is responsible for implementing the strategic directives of the Steering Committee, coordinating logistics, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and the overall execution of the 2026 conference.
Mrs. Walson-Jack urged members to begin work immediately, stressing that the assignment was both strategic and transformative to the public service reform agenda.
“This task demands innovation, collaboration, and commitment to excellence. I trust that you will all bring your best to bear in ensuring that the 2026 ICSC surpasses the success of 2025,” she said.
In her remarks, Dr. Deborah Odoh applauded the Head of Service for her visionary leadership, which she said has fostered a culture of professionalism, inclusivity, and excellence within the Civil Service. She described the conference as a platform to showcase the strength and creativity of Nigeria’s public institutions.
Also speaking on behalf of the committees, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Chinasa Ogbodo, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to deliver on the assigned mandate with diligence and transparency.
The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment by all participants to uphold the principles of accountability, collaboration, and service excellence that continue to drive the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service.