International Civil Service Conference 2026 to Deepen Public Service Reforms and Strengthen Global Collaboration – HCSF

 

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has called on public service leaders, policymakers, development partners, academia, and private sector stakeholders from across the world to actively participate in the International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) 2026, describing the event as a strategic global platform for advancing public sector reforms, institutional resilience, and transformative governance.

Speaking ahead of the conference, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja, the HCSF stated that the 2026 edition builds on the outstanding success of the maiden conference held in 2025 and is poised to deliver even greater impact across Africa and the global public service ecosystem.

The 2nd Edition of the International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) is scheduled to hold from May 20 to 21, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja, Nigeria.

According to the HCSF, the theme for this year’s conference, “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” reflects the bold transformation agenda currently reshaping the Nigerian Federal Civil Service and reinforces the commitment to building a more efficient, technology-driven, innovative, and citizen-centered public service.

She noted that the conference will convene Heads of Civil Service, public administration experts, reform champions, captains of industry, technology innovators, policymakers, and international development institutions from across Africa and beyond to exchange ideas, strengthen institutional partnerships, and explore innovative solutions for governance and service delivery.

The HCSF further disclosed that the 2026 conference will feature over 200 exhibition booths showcasing innovations, reforms, and achievements by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside leading private sector organisations contributing to national development, digital transformation, and economic growth.

Participants will also engage in high-level plenary sessions, eight strategic discussion stages, and three executive roundtable sessions designed to address emerging public service challenges, leadership priorities, digital transformation, workforce modernization, and sustainable governance reforms.

One of the major highlights of the conference will be the official declaration of the event by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Reflecting on the reform milestones achieved since the inaugural conference, the HCSF revealed that one of the most significant accomplishments of the Federal Civil Service was the successful transition to a fully paperless civil service in December 2025.

She explained that the implementation of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) across the Federal Civil Service has significantly improved operational efficiency, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and service delivery within government institutions.

The HCSF also highlighted the growing impact of the Federal Government’s AI-powered assistant, Service-Wise GPT, which has already recorded over 50,000 user conversations, demonstrating the increasing role of digital innovation and artificial intelligence in strengthening governance and improving public service delivery.

She urged both physical and virtual participants to maximise the opportunities presented by the conference by learning from global best practices, building strategic collaborations, and implementing transformative ideas within their respective institutions and countries.

The HCSF further invited participants from around the world to register virtually through the official conference portal, emphasizing that the conference is designed as a hybrid event to ensure broader global participation and inclusion.

She expressed confidence that ICSC 2026 will stand out as a landmark event in the ongoing journey toward building a resilient, modern, innovative, and results-oriented public service capable of meeting the evolving needs of citizens in the digital age.

The HCSF reaffirmed her commitment to sustaining the momentum of reforms within the Federal Civil Service and expressed optimism that the outcomes of ICSC 2026 will further strengthen the foundation for future editions of the conference and accelerate public service transformation across Africa and beyond.