Edo State Government is preparing for a major milestone in its public sector reforms as Civil and Public Servants across Ministries, Departments and Agencies get ready for the first-ever Service wide Innovation Pitching Session scheduled for Wednesday, 19th to Friday, 21st November, 2025 at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City. The event is positioned as a key step in advancing digital governance, administrative efficiency and public service transformation.
The initiative, led by the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, marks the first of its kind in Edo State and the first in any State Civil Service in Nigeria. It forms part of the Edo State Public Service Retooling and Enhancement Programme known as Edo-PREP, a reform agenda introduced by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to build a disciplined, digital and innovation-driven workforce.
According to the Head of Service, the Pitching Session follows the earlier call for entries issued by the Edo-PREP Innovation Committee, inviting Civil and Public Servants to submit creative ideas that can improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, enhance transparency and strengthen service delivery across government institutions. With submissions now closed, shortlisted officers are set to present their solutions before a Review Panel made up of Permanent Secretaries, Heads of MDAs and chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Mrs. Iryn Omorogiuwa.
Dr. Okungbowa highlighted that the competition aligns directly with the Governor’s vision of a modern Civil Service capable of generating solutions internally. He noted that the Governor has consistently stated that Civil Servants must be the ones to perform their duties and that meaningful transformation should originate from within the system rather than being driven by external actors. “This innovation competition is a practical demonstration of the Governor’s belief in the capacity of our workforce,” he said.
He explained that the platform is designed to harness creativity, encourage original thinking and reward officers who develop ideas that can significantly improve governance outcomes. He added that, for the first time, Civil Servants are being given the opportunity to rethink and redesign the systems they manage. Dr. Okungbowa noted that the pitching exercise will deepen a culture of innovation, strengthen productivity and improve problem-solving across MDAs, ultimately enabling a more responsive and citizen-focused Public Service.
He emphasized that innovation is central to Edo-PREP’s 35-module reform framework, which aims to reposition the Civil Service for optimal performance, digital transformation and service excellence. The expected outcomes include faster processes, better transparency, improved citizen satisfaction and a stronger, more professional workforce positioned for future governance demands.
In a statement from the organisers, the competition will focus on five major innovation categories: Process and Efficiency, Technology and Digital Transformation, Service Delivery and Citizen Engagement, Workplace and Staff Welfare, and Sustainability and Cost-Saving. Entries submitted span a wide range of ideas including digital communication tools, smart office systems, one-stop service platforms, green solutions, customer experience improvements, paper-to-digital conversion models and cost-saving approaches.
Participants will be required to defend and refine their proposals before the Review Panel, which will assess each idea based on clarity, feasibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and overall impact on government operations. The organisers noted that outstanding innovations may be adopted and scaled across the State’s governance structure to strengthen long-term public service outcomes.
Winners of the competition will receive the Governor’s and Head of Service’s Innovation Prizes, as well as certificates, commendations, mentorship opportunities, training fellowships, exposure visits and career development platforms.
The programme is expected to inspire greater creativity across government departments, promote digital public administration and support Edo State’s ambition to build a world-class Civil Service powered by ideas, technology and innovation. The upcoming session represents a defining moment for Edo State’s reform journey.
