The Nigerian Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has announced a week-long events for the 2025 African Public Service Day and Nigeria’s Civil Service Week.

The Federal Government also announced that the Federal Civil Service will transition to a digital system and eliminate paper usage by December 2025.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, made this known during a world press conference to announce the upcoming 2025 African Public Service Day and Civil Service Week in Abuja on Wednesday.

Walson-Jack said that the initiative aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan for 2021–2025, which is scheduled to wrap up by the year’s end.

She said, “Even before I assumed office, the OHCSF had already gone paperless. We are now working to accelerate this transformation across all MDAs.

“Just last week, I was at the Federal Ministry of Health to launch their Enterprise Content Management Systems (ECMS), making them the 11th ministry to go paperless. The rest are at varying stages of implementation.

“We have engaged partners to help fund digital transitions in some of the ministries. The race to December 31, 2025, is on, and with hard work and God’s grace, the Nigerian Civil Service will be fully paperless by December 31, 2025.”

She added, “It is my honour and privilege to announce that the Federal and State Civil Services will commemorate the African Public Service Day and the Nigerian Civil Service Week, from Friday, 20th to Saturday, 28th June 2025.

“In the same week, a historic inaugural International Civil Service Conference will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 25th to 26th June 2025. These events represent a defining moment in our ongoing journey to reposition the Nigerian Civil Service as a 21st-century engine for national development, regional and international leadership.”

The 2025 Civil Service Week, a significant event in our calendar, will feature a series of spiritually enriching, intellectually engaging, and socially rewarding events designed to celebrate excellence in public service, reflect on reforms, and promote a unified vision for a stronger Civil Service.

“The programme line-up includes the commissioning of the remodelled Reception for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, a Special Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque, a Thanksgiving Service at the Family Worship Centre, Wuye, and a Study Tour of the Federal Civil Service and Abuja by State’s Heads of Civil Service.

“A Welcome Cocktail for ICSC Speakers, Wellness Activities, and a Social Get-together for Civil Servants are some of the other activities.

“The meat of the Week would be the two-day International Civil Service Conference (ICSC). The week would be rounded off with a Rewards and Recognition Awards Ceremony.

“Hosting the ICSC directly expresses Nigeria’s commitment to the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25), with its core pillars of Capability Building, Performance Management, and Digitalisation. It also aligns with key provisions of the 2021 Public Service Rules,” she stated.

The Russian Federation has reiterated its dedication to deepening cooperation with Nigeria, exploring new frontiers in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Amb. Andrey Podelyshev, Russia’s envoy to Nigeria, said this during a reception held on Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate Russia’s national holiday, “Russia Day.”

Celebrated annually on June 12, Russia Day serves as a time to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and look confidently toward the future.

Podelyshev emphasised Russia’s commitment to upholding an international order grounded in respect for sovereignty, cultural uniqueness, and each nation’s right to pursue its development path.

Highlighting the long-standing friendship between Russia and Africa, he said, “We do not impose conditions, interfere in internal affairs, or dictate models of development.

“We support honest and mutually beneficial dialogue, and equal partnership,” he said.

He noted Nigeria’s pivotal role on the African continent both historically and in humanitarian terms.

“Thousands of Nigerians have studied in Russian universities, fostering a foundation of trust that supports growing cooperation in science, energy, defense, and agriculture.

“We highly value the openness of our Nigerian partners, constructive dialogue, and shared focus on tangible outcomes,” Podelyshev added.

He expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We firmly believe that the potential of Russia-Nigeria cooperation is far from exhausted, with new horizons, joint projects, and growth opportunities ahead.”

Russia, the world’s largest country spanning two continents and 11 time zones, is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, dramatic landscapes, and iconic landmarks.

There was a mild drama as Edo State senator, Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace staff engaged in a heated altercation at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday morning.

The altercation disrupted flight operations.

The incident occurred around 6:10 am when Oshiomhole arrived at the terminal for a flight to Abuja, scheduled to depart at 6:30 am.

Oshiomhole upon arrival had demanded to be boarded, noting that he had done online check-in.

However, Air Peace in a statement on Wednesday said the boarding process had already closed when Oshiomhole arrived, and the flight had departed as scheduled.

The airline claimed that, upon being informed he had missed his flight, the senator allegedly responded with physical aggression, assaulted staff members, and obstructed the terminal entrance, preventing other passengers from entering the departure hall.

“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance,

“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal,” Air Peace said.

However, Oshiomhole has not officially reacted to the development as of the time of filing this report.