By Nkechi Eze
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent fiscal governance as it participated in the 2025 International Civil Service Conference held at Eagle Square, Abuja. The event, which brought together over 5,000 delegates from more than 30 countries, focused on innovation, transformation, and service excellence in the public sector.
In an official signed statement, Bede Ogueri Anyanwu, Deputy Director and Head of the Strategic Communications Directorate at the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, confirmed the Commission’s active involvement in the high-level gathering, describing it as a strategic opportunity to strengthen institutional collaboration and align the FRC’s oversight mandate with Nigeria’s ongoing public sector reforms.
In his keynote address at the conference, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu underscored the vital role of civil servants in the implementation of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He charged civil servants to embrace innovation and serve as custodians of public trust. “Civil servants, you are not just the backbone of effective administration across borders but the very essence of it,” President Tinubu declared.
He also called for a comprehensive personnel audit and skills gap analysis across the federal service to enhance capacity and accelerate transformation. The President emphasized the importance of data transparency and international benchmarking, saying, “We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally… This will allow global benchmarking organizations to track our progress in real-time.” These directives, he noted, would position Nigeria’s civil service for global relevance and excellence.
The President’s call aligns with FRC’s core responsibilities under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, particularly in ensuring data-driven fiscal policy formulation, coordination, and monitoring. The Commission is mandated to promote transparency through accurate and timely reporting of government finances, a goal that resonates with the administration’s push for verifiable data and public accountability.
Also addressing the conference, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, called on civil servants—particularly young professionals—to reimagine governance and embrace innovation with boldness. She highlighted milestones achieved through the ongoing Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021-2025), including the automation of civil service processes and the deployment of Service-Wise GPT, a Nigerian-built artificial intelligence solution.
“Business as usual is no longer acceptable,” Walson-Jack said. “We must rejuvenate, innovate, and accelerate the delivery of quality public services.” Her remarks, which emphasized inclusive leadership and ethical governance, echoed the FRC’s mandate to ensure fiscal discipline and credible public financial management across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
For the FRC, the conference served as a strategic forum to deepen its cooperation with local and international partners and to align its fiscal oversight duties with emerging global best practices in public sector administration. The Commission reiterated its dedication to working closely with MDAs and development stakeholders to promote sustainable debt management, responsible budgeting, and improved service delivery.
The Commission’s participation highlights its pivotal role in the nation’s governance reform efforts and affirms the continued relevance of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 in Nigeria’s journey toward a more effective and accountable public service.
