LocationsThe Federal Government of Nigeria - OHCSF and UNDP Sign Landmark MoU to Accelerate Public Sector Innovation and Civil Service Transformation
July 1, 2025
Head of Civil Service of the Federation Shakes Hands with Resident Representative
Abuja, 25 June 2025 – The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s public sector capacity through strategic innovation, digital transformation, and institutional reform.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the International Civil Service Conference 2025, in Abuja, and marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards building a future-ready and citizen-centred public service.
Under the new partnership, UNDP and OHCSF will collaborate on key areas, including:
Establishing a national Public Sector Innovation Hub;
Launch digital skills programmes and readiness assessments for civil servants;
Support the implementation of the successor Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP);
Promote knowledge exchange with the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Singapore;
Engage pilot states to localise and scale reform initiatives;
Co-creating a resource mobilisation framework to support high-impact, system-wide transformation.
“This partnership marks the beginning of a new era for Nigeria’s public service—one that is digital by design, inclusive by default, and built to deliver,” said Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria. “We are not just signing a document—we are investing in a new governance architecture that positions Nigeria as a model for public sector innovation across Africa.”
“Our collaboration with UNDP is both timely and strategic,” said Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. “Through this MoU, we are reinforcing our commitment to reimagine the civil service as a centre of innovation, professional excellence, and results-oriented leadership. We are moving from ambition to action—and we welcome partners like UNDP to walk this journey with us.”
The MoU also paves the way for deeper collaboration with national institutions, private sector innovators, development partners, and academia—creating a whole-of-government approach to reform implementation and innovation scaling.
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Note to Editors
About UNDP:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the promise to leave no one behind, UNDP partners with governments, civil society, and the private sector to help nations build integrated, people-centered, and future-ready solutions to today’s complex development challenges.
In Nigeria, UNDP is driving a new era of development through its Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), a bold, system-wide approach that delivers high-impact solutions across Nigeria’s diverse regions. At its core are five flagship portfolios focused on innovation, digital transformation, and the knowledge economy; trade, investment and financing for development; integrated, clean and decentralized energy systems; accelerated community development; and the Made in Nigeria initiative. Together, they enable inclusive, locally-led growth, while deepening institutional capacity and unlocking scalable, future-ready development pathways. Learn more:
About OHCSF:
The Civil Service of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are legal entities with juristic personalities as administrative machineries for implementing government policies and programmes with diligence and commitment for advancing the welfare and well-being of the citizenry through the judicious use of human, material and financial resources and qualitative service delivery based on observance of the Rule of Law/ Due Process.
Media Contact:
Mrs. Eno Olotu, mnipr
Director, Information & Public Relations
Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation
Phone: 09032450295
Email: eno.olotu@ohcsf.gov.ng
Christabel Chanda - Ginsberg
Public Engagement, Outreach & Partnerships Lead
United National Development Programme