Public service is said to be the engine room of government and public servants, the architects of policy, the implementers of reform and the custodians of public trust. But what happens when this engine lacks the capacity to drive progress? The result, as seen in many African nations, is a failing governance environment and stunted socio-economic development. Without well-qualified and competent public servants, the risk of policies not being implemented or poorly executed remains high. This understandably limits progress towards meeting our socio-economic goals as a nation, breeds further distrust in citizens and leaves in its wake missed opportunities for national development.


Recognising the critical importance of the role that public servants play in ensuring that we, as a nation, progress on the path of social and economic development, it is imperative that investments be made and resources devoted to enhancing and strengthening the capacity of public servants. This should no longer be a wish, but a goal that all those interested in the development of our nation assiduously pursue.

The public servant today needs the skillset of a 21st-century professional, which includes advanced digital literacy skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, policy formulation skills, communication skills, intrapreneurial and growth mindset to foster innovations that lead to transformation, and by no means least, integrity and honour. Sharpening their skills in these and other areas should lead to increased efficiencies, better governance, as well as sustainable development that benefits society as a whole.

The Evolving Skill Set of Public Servants
Public service requires a mix of technical and critical soft skills. Public servants work at the crossroads of policy and action, meaning they must think strategically, lead effectively, manage stakeholders, and solve problems. Unlike the private sector, they must also navigate complex bureaucracies, drive innovation with limited resources, and make informed decisions aligned with global trends.



https://guardian.ng/opinion/africas-public-service-revolution-investing-in-tomorrows-leaders-today/