Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, former Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, has identified fiscal pressures, budget processes, youth unemployment, corruption, and waning public confidence as major challenges facing Nigeria's civil service.
Speaking at the International Civil Service Conference 2025, Aig-Imoukhuede emphasized that continuous reforms in the civil service are crucial for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in the country.
In his keynote address titled "Supporting Public Service Reforms: A Partner's Experience," the founder of the Africa Initiative for Governance noted that governments worldwide are under increasing pressure to improve the performance of public institutions.
"Even the citizens of the most advanced nations have reason to demand better performance from their public institutions," he stated.
Modern Governance Challenges
According to Aig-Imoukhuede, rapid technological advancements, evolving citizen expectations, and complex global challenges have put greater pressure on the public sector to be agile, responsive, and dynamic in its approach to governance.
The co-chairman of the United Kingdom-Nigeria Capital Market Task Force emphasized that successful reforms must reach beyond conventional bureaucratic adjustments and embrace innovation, digital transformation, and participatory governance to remain effective.
"Modern governments must be able to swim the tide of digital disruption, embrace the power of artificial intelligence, and adapt government operating models and rules of engagement to align with 21st century realities," he explained.
Collaborative Approach to Reform
Aig-Imoukhuede further highlighted that governments cannot meet citizens' demands by acting alone. He stressed that the realities of reform in Africa require public institutions and leaders to find willing and able collaborators, whether local, regional, or international, who bring added value to the reform effort.
"Constraints such as fiscal pressures and budget processes are amongst challenges to be overcome. Youth unemployment, corruption, and waning public confidence in institutions pose challenges that require enhanced citizen engagement," he added.
The former banker's insights come at a critical time when Nigeria's civil service faces mounting pressure to improve efficiency and service delivery amid economic challenges.
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