Nigeria is fast-tracking a major transformation of its public sector, rolling out artificial intelligence and expanding paperless operations across the federal civil service to tackle long-standing bureaucratic delays and improve its investment climate. The move is part of a broader push to make government processes faster, more transparent, and business-friendly.
According to Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the reforms are already changing how government agencies interact with businesses. Speaking at a stakeholder event in collaboration with Phillips Consulting Limited, she explained that inefficiencies within the system often slow down approvals, but improved workflows are now delivering quicker processing times and clearer regulations.
Since assuming office in August 2024, Walson-Jack has overseen a rapid expansion of the government’s paperless initiative—from just three ministries to 38—while increasing the number of official email accounts to about 115,000. In addition, a new digital archive now gives access to federal circulars dating back to 1995, replacing an outdated system where critical documents were often difficult to retrieve.
At the centre of the overhaul is ServiceWise GPT, an AI-powered platform trained on government policies and regulations. The tool has already logged over 50,000 interactions and is helping civil servants save between two to three hours daily. Walson-Jack noted that the impact is tangible, as a smarter and more efficient regulatory system ultimately benefits businesses navigating Nigeria’s operating environment.
The reform push comes at a crucial time as Nigeria works to rebuild investor confidence amid concerns over red tape and policy uncertainty. Industry leaders like Foluso Phillips have stressed the importance of public-private collaboration, noting that innovation and efficiency from the private sector are vital to modern governance. With plans to host the second International Civil Service Conference in May 2026, Nigeria is also positioning itself as a global voice in public sector reform, encouraging businesses to engage with ongoing changes that promise a more predictable and competitive business landscape.
source: Business day