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Govt Unveils Plan to Retain Skilled Workers Worldwide

Govt Unveils Plan to Retain Skilled Workers Worldwide

The Federal Government has announced new digital initiatives aimed at addressing the rising wave of brain drain within Nigeria’s civil service, particularly among highly skilled ICT professionals.

Unveiled during the maiden edition of the International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, the initiatives include a Digital Competence Framework and a Career Progression Model, designed to equip civil servants with globally relevant digital skills and provide clearer advancement opportunities.

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Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, made this known in a statement on Sunday, noting that the reforms are part of a broader strategy to make public sector roles more attractive and professionally fulfilling.

Mr Inuwa, who was represented at the event by Acting Director, Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department, Ahmed Tambawal, said the new framework was developed in partnership with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

He explained that the initiative seeks to tackle the long-standing challenge of stagnant roles and underutilised digital talent within ministries, departments, and agencies.

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“Highly skilled professionals are often stuck in roles that don’t reflect their expertise, while their counterparts in the private sector benefit from well-defined career paths and regular capacity-building opportunities,” Inuwa said.

According to him, the Digital Competence Framework already in use within NITDA will soon be extended across MDAs.

It offers structured career pathways, access to internationally recognised certifications, and targeted upskilling opportunities to boost retention and performance among civil servants.

In addition, the agency has launched a Digital Champions Programme, which identifies top-performing digital talents across government institutions and equips them with specialised training to lead innovation within their respective organisations.

“These champions will drive digital change from within, promoting efficiency and a culture of innovation across the public sector,” Mr Inuwa said.

The reforms come amid growing concerns over the mass emigration of skilled Nigerians, commonly referred to as the “Japa” trend, in search of better career prospects abroad. ICT professionals in particular have been among the most sought-after talent globally.

Mr Inuwa said the government’s plan is to reverse the trend by creating a more dynamic and rewarding work environment for digital professionals within the civil service.

“We are committed to developing a digital civil service that retains talent, encourages professional growth, and supports national development,” he said.

Other speakers at the conference included Permanent Secretary Faruk Yabo Yusuf, Kevin Cunnington, and Wumi Oghoetuoma-Jolomi. Discussions during the session, themed ‘Digital Transformation: Digital Skills for Civil Servants – Capacity Gaps and Future Readiness’, focused on reimagining governance in the digital age.

Speakers emphasised the need for a skills-first approach to civil service reform prioritising capacity-building, data literacy, and innovative thinking to drive citizen-centred service delivery.


The International Civil Service Conference was organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with the theme ‘Rejuvenate, Innovate & Accelerate!’ and drew participation from senior government officials, policy experts, and global development partners.

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