Interior Ministry Tasks Agencies on Innovation for Better Service Delivery

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Ministry of Interior has urged its agencies to adopt innovation as a central strategy for improving efficiency, accountability, and service delivery across the public service.

The call was made in Abuja on Monday during a training programme on innovation organised for agencies under the Ministry as part of ongoing reform efforts aimed at modernising government operations and improving institutional performance.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mrs. Gloria-Vera Azoro, said innovation should be understood as a practical approach to improving how government work is done, rather than a theoretical concept.

She explained that innovation involves the introduction of new ideas or the improvement of existing systems to make services faster, more effective, and less costly.

“Innovation is a practical tool for driving change in government operations. It involves improving existing processes or introducing new ideas that make services more efficient, timely, and cost-effective,” she said.

Azoro said the training was designed to equip officers with the mindset and skills required to rethink traditional methods of service delivery, stressing the need for critical thinking and openness to new approaches in public administration.

She expressed satisfaction with the participation of all six agencies under the Ministry, while also thanking the Permanent Secretary for approving the programme.

To ensure sustainability of the reform agenda, Azoro urged agencies that are yet to establish Innovation Units to do so without delay, and to set up Innovation Committees with representation from all departments.

According to her, such structures would help institutionalise innovation and ensure that reform ideas are generated and implemented across all levels of the system.

She also advised participants to carry their management teams along in reform initiatives and to introduce regular innovation-driven activities such as quarterly challenges that can generate practical solutions to operational problems.

The Director encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training sessions, noting that the programme featured presentations from experienced reformers and innovators whose insights would help strengthen service delivery outcomes across agencies.

Earlier in the programme, Dr. John Magbadelo, former Director of Civil Service Transformation at the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), presented a paper titled “Prospects and Challenges of Innovation in Nigeria’s Public Service.”

He noted that the Nigerian public service has continued to evolve from manual and analogue systems to digital processes over the years, adding that reforms introduced since 2016 have accelerated digital transformation across government institutions.

Dr. Magbadelo observed that the shift toward digitalisation has improved efficiency but still requires stronger institutional commitment and continuous adaptation to global best practices.

Another keynote presentation was delivered by Mr. Henry Nwaedo of the Service Innovation Department, OHCSF, titled “Driving Public Sector Transformation: The Strategic Role of Innovation Divisions in Ministries and MDAs.”

He emphasised that improved governance and service delivery depend on embedding innovation into institutional culture, noting that ideas must not only be generated but also implemented effectively to produce measurable results.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to building a more responsive, efficient, and citizen-centred public service through sustained reform initiatives and innovation-driven strategies aimed at strengthening governance outcomes.