FG creates dept to promote innovation

The federal government has established a Service Innovation Department in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and Divisions in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to boost innovations and business ideas.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, said this on Monday in Abuja at the openings of a sensitization workshop for staff of the newly established unit.

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Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office (OHCSF), Mrs Ibiene Roberts, she said innovation helps in problem solving, improving businesses, corporate governance and scaling up service quality and delivery.

She said the Office organised the maiden edition of the Federal Civil Service Innovation Challenge which was held in June and August, 2020. The competition which was facilitated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), enabled 109 civil servants to participate in the competition out of the 168 who applied.

A star prize of N3 million was awarded to the first placed winners while runners up and consolation prizes ranging from N200,000 to N1.750m to were presented to other competitors.

“It is worth nothing that the competition was a precursor to the establishment of Service Innovation Department and Service Innovation Divisions,” she noted.