Interior Ministry Launches Innovation Hub to Boost Creativity, Waste-to-Wealth Initiative

The Ministry of Interior has commissioned an Innovation Hub aimed at promoting creativity, entrepreneurship and improved service delivery, with a strong focus on converting waste materials into economically valuable products.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, described the facility as a strategic platform designed to harness the creativity and resourcefulness of members of staff while supporting the Federal Government’s public service reform agenda.

She said the hub would encourage employees to develop innovative ideas and practical solutions by transforming recyclable materials such as waste paper and textile remnants into decorative items, handcrafted artworks and functional office accessories.

Ajani noted that the initiative reflects the “waste-to-wealth” concept, adding that innovation remains essential to improving efficiency and productivity in the public service.

According to her, the project not only promotes environmental sustainability but also provides staff with opportunities to acquire entrepreneurial skills while creating value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative, the permanent secretary directed the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mrs. Vera G. Azoro, to establish a structured financial framework for the Innovation Hub.

She proposed the creation of a dedicated account to serve as a revolving fund for reinvestment, expansion of activities and the overall sustainability of the project.

Ajani also urged members of staff to sustain the culture of innovation and institutional reform, stressing that the success of the initiative should not depend on individuals but on enduring systems and structures.

“The true measure of this initiative is not in its commissioning but in its continuity. You must build on this foundation, strengthen it, and ensure it outlives individual tenures,” she said.

She further challenged officers of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Unit to remain proactive in driving efficiency and innovation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), describing them as key drivers of public service transformation.

The permanent secretary encouraged staff to maximise the Innovation Hub as a centre for collaboration, knowledge sharing, skills acquisition and practical engagement while maintaining high standards in its operation and upkeep.

The commissioning of the facility marks another milestone in the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing reform programme, which is aimed at building a more innovative, productive, efficient and service-oriented public service in line with the Federal Government’s development agenda.