FG urges local councils to strengthen digital governance
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has called on local government councils to enhance digital governance to improve service delivery.
The Director-General of the Bureau, Dr Dasuki Arabi, made this appeal during a two-day capacity-building workshop for council chairmen, permanent secretaries, directors-general, and executive secretaries on Thursday in Gombe.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Gombe State Bureau of Public Service Reforms, was themed: “Strengthening Government Digital Platforms: Security, Accessibility, Efficiency, and Accountability.”
Dr Arabi emphasised that reinforcing government digital platforms would facilitate better service delivery, increase accountability, and promote transparency.
He explained that this process involves advancing digital governance, improving service efficiency, and fostering citizen engagement through technology, with a focus on security, accessibility, and accountability.
A key element of digital governance enhancement, he noted, is investment in training for public servants at both state and local government levels.
Represented by Oguntuyi Olusegun, Head of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at the Bureau, Arabi remarked that digital transformation is one of the most effective tools for ensuring high-quality service delivery in the modern era.
He acknowledged that both federal and state governments had made significant strides in strengthening their workforce through reforms and training, which had produced positive outcomes.
The BPSR head urged local councils to replicate such initiatives and prioritise skills development in digital governance to improve service efficiency and transparency.
“Our appeal is that local government chairmen must prioritise skill acquisition.
“No matter how much technology is implemented, without adequate training, optimal results cannot be achieved.
“For the public servants in attendance, they must take the initiative to enhance their skills.
“There are numerous online training platforms and capacity-building opportunities they can explore to improve their performance,” he said.
Dr Arabi also encouraged public sector workers to participate in the national mentorship programme to nurture young leaders and develop a forward-thinking civil service.
Mr Abubakar Hassan, Director-General of the Gombe State Bureau of Public Service Reforms, revealed that approximately 95 participants had been trained in digital governance.
Hassan stated that the training focused on how digital platforms could enhance citizen engagement, particularly in making government services more accessible to grassroots communities through e-governance.
“We hope to implement mentorship programmes where those trained here will pass on their knowledge to others, bridging existing skill gaps within the public sector,” he added.
Similarly, Sani Haruna, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Gombe State, praised the initiative.
He asserted that strengthening local government administration requires collaboration between all tiers of government.
Haruna reiterated the councils’ commitment to working alongside federal and state authorities to address existing challenges.
