The initiatives were unveiled on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Rotunda Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Civil Service Week.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Nkiruka Jones-Nebo, described the two initiatives as key reforms designed to strengthen service delivery through technology while preparing future leaders for the public service.
According to her, sustainable institutions depend not only on efficient systems but also on competent and motivated personnel.
“Today’s programme brings together two strategic initiatives that are critical to the future of the Federal Civil Service — digital transformation and leadership development.
“These initiatives recognise the fact that effective institutions are built not only on sound systems and technology but also on capable, motivated and well-prepared people,” she said.
Jones-Nebo explained that the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System Human Resources Employee Self-Service Application would simplify routine human resource operations, reduce delays and improve productivity across ministries, departments and agencies.
She noted that the platform would allow employees and managers to access key HR services directly, promoting greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in personnel management.
“The IPPIS HR Module is designed to empower both employees and managers through self-service functionalities that simplify routine HR processes, reduce administrative delays and improve operational efficiency.
“More importantly, it aligns with our broader reform objectives of building a responsive, agile and technology-enabled Public Service capable of delivering quality services to citizens,” she said.
The permanent secretary also highlighted the importance of the newly approved Public Service Mentoring Policy and Guidelines, describing it as a major step toward institutionalising mentorship as a strategy for leadership development, succession planning and talent management within the civil service.
She said the policy would encourage experienced public servants to transfer knowledge and expertise to younger officers, thereby preserving institutional memory while nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Jones-Nebo added that the Mentoring Marketplace initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of responding to emerging governance challenges.
She explained that the simultaneous introduction of the digital HR platform and mentoring programme was intentional, as one focuses on strengthening administrative systems through technology while the other develops the human capacity required to sustain reforms.
The permanent secretary commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her leadership in driving reforms across the public service.
She also said the recent visit by a delegation from The Gambia to study Nigeria’s civil service reforms reflects the growing recognition of the country’s transformation efforts across the continent.
Jones-Nebo urged permanent secretaries, chief executives, directors and heads of human resource management in ministries, departments and agencies to take ownership of both initiatives to ensure their successful implementation.
She equally acknowledged the support of Soft Alliance and Resources Limited for contributing to the government’s digital transformation agenda and commended management consultant Francisca Odeka, alongside other stakeholders, for their roles in developing the Public Service Mentoring Policy.
The IPPIS-HR Employee Self-Service Application forms part of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving personnel management, enhancing accountability and delivering better public services.
Similarly, the Public Service Mentoring Policy and Guidelines, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, is expected to institutionalise mentorship across the civil service as a framework for leadership development, succession planning and knowledge transfer.