Come Up With Innovative Ideas To Boost Housing Delivery, FG Tells Civil Servants

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has launched a sensitisation programme for its management and staff to boost innovation and creativity in service delivery.

Speaking at the one-day event in Abuja on Friday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, reminded staff that the Ministry’s responsibilities go beyond housing provision.

According to him, the ministry also plays a key role in land administration, urban renewal, roads, water, electricity, and other forms of lighting.

Belgore stressed that the critical responsibilities demand new approaches and fresh ideas.

He said innovation remains central to improving efficiency and enhancing the quality of services delivered to Nigerians.

“When we have new ideas, we get new energy, we can perform better, and we are also able to satisfy our charter of service to Nigerians,” Belgore noted.

The sensitisation programme, anchored by the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement department, aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP25), particularly pillar four, which promotes a culture of innovation across government institutions.

Belgore recalled past innovation challenges organised by the Office of the Head of Service, which produced creative solutions such as an internet radio for civil servants and a mentorship programme, with the internet radio winning the best idea award.

He expressed confidence that the Housing Ministry could also generate prize-winning ideas if its staff fully embraced innovation.

He urged participants to embrace technology-driven methods, noting that governance and service delivery globally were moving in that direction.

Earlier, Mrs Ibifuro Philips-Ogoniba, Head of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement at the ministry, said the sensitisation was part of the department’s 2025 work plan to raise awareness on innovative principles.

She explained that the programme was designed to enhance service delivery, improve attitudes to work, and promote a more conducive work environment.

Presentations were made by Mr Henry Nwaedo from the Service Innovation Department of the Head of Service’s office, who spoke on the application of design thinking in public service, and Mr Michael Ojiyovwi, Managing Director of Hitech Integrated Services Ltd, who emphasised the role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in driving innovation.

The event was attended by directors, departmental heads, ministry staff, as well as representatives of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the private sector.