CIPM President Calls for People-Centred Transformation of Nigeria's Public Service

The ultimate purpose of public service is not merely to process paperwork, but to improve citizens' lives. — Ahmed Ladan Gobir

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened. Public service must move beyond measuring activity and processes to measuring the actual value and impact delivered to citizens.

Ahmed Ladan Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), made this call on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Ogun State 2026 Public Service Day Celebration Lecture in Abeokuta. The lecture was themed “Transforming the Public Service: Advancing Innovation, Accountability, Participation and Inclusion.”

You might wonder what a people-centred transformation of Nigeria's public service means. Simply put, it means institutions must focus on improving citizens' lives, rather than simply processing paperwork. And this requires a fundamental shift in approach.

The CIPM President emphasized that innovation in the public service must go beyond simply digitising existing processes. He cautioned against “digitising dysfunction”, noting that technology cannot compensate for institutions that have failed to rethink inefficient processes. This is a vital point, as digitisation has been touted as a cure-all for many of the public service's ills. But, as Gobir pointed out, even the most advanced technology cannot compensate for underlying problems.

Gobir urged public institutions to redesign processes around citizens' needs rather than institutional convenience. He stressed the importance of accountability, describing it as “the mathematics of trust.” Public institutions must earn citizens' confidence through competence, fairness, transparency, consistency, and responsiveness.

And it's not just about the institutions themselves. The CIPM President highlighted the critical role of human resource management in public-sector transformation. He called for a strategic approach to talent management, leadership development, performance management, and capability building within the public service.

Leadership remains central to achieving all four imperatives: innovation must change the method; accountability must change the culture; participation must change the relationship between government and citizens; and inclusion must change the architecture of public service. The CIPM President noted that institutions do not transform themselves—people transform institutions, and leaders determine whether those people are empowered, constrained, inspired or ignored.

The engagement reinforces CIPM's commitment to advancing professional human resource management and supporting stronger, more capable and people-centred institutions across Nigeria.

Ahmed Ladan Gobir is a Nigerian public servant and the President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM). He is known for his expertise in human resource management and his commitment to advancing professional standards in the public service.

In 2026, Gobir was appointed President of CIPM, taking the reins from his predecessor who had led the institute for several years. Under Gobir's leadership, CIPM has continued to advocate for reforms in the public service, promoting the adoption of best practices and innovative approaches to governance.

As part of his efforts to transform the public service, Gobir has been engaging with various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives. His keynote address at the Ogun State Public Service Day Celebration Lecture was a testament to his commitment to driving positive change in the public sector.

Gobir's vision for a people-centred public service is not just a theoretical concept. It is grounded in his experience as a public servant and his understanding of the challenges facing the sector. He has called for a fundamental transformation of the public service, urging institutions to rethink their approach and focus on delivering value to citizens.

The impact of Gobir's vision is likely to be felt across the country, as institutions adapt to new approaches and strategies. And while there may be challenges along the way, Gobir is confident that the public service can be transformed to deliver better outcomes for citizens. His message is clear: it is time for a new approach, one that prioritizes the needs of citizens and the delivery of value to the public.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) is a professional body that advances the practice of human resource management in the public and private sectors. As a premier institution, CIPM has been promoting professionalism, innovation, and excellence in the field of human resource management for several decades.

CIPM was established in 1968 with the primary objective of promoting the practice of human resource management in Nigeria. Over the years, the institute has grown to become a leading voice on issues related to public service reform, human resource development, and organisational effectiveness.

Today, CIPM continues to play a vital role in shaping the public service, advocating for reforms and promoting best practices in the delivery of public services. The institute has members from across the country, including public servants, private sector professionals, and civil society leaders.

The engagement on public service reform is an important one, with far-reaching implications for the country. As Ahmed Ladan Gobir noted, the ultimate purpose of public service is not merely to process paperwork, but to improve citizens' lives. And it is up to institutions to deliver on this promise.