Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Wednesday charged Secretaries to State Governments (SSGs) to adopt digital tools for monitoring, analysis, and communication.
Stating that integration of technology into governance is no longer optional but essential for efficiency, accountability, and timely decision-making, Akume noted that the use of digital platforms would enhance transparency in government operations and ensure that policy outcomes are measurable and impactful.
Speaking in Jos, Plateau State at the first 2025 meeting of the Forum of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Secretaries to Government of States, Senator Akume described the offices of SGFs and SSGs as the “engine rooms” of government.
Senator Akume emphasised that Secretaries to State Governments occupy a strategic position as coordinators of government activities, and their effectiveness directly influences policy execution and service delivery. He urged them to embrace continuous learning and innovation, noting that modern governance requires leaders who can anticipate challenges and provide practical solutions.
He also tasked them to be proactive in supporting security coordination and to constantly upgrade their leadership skills in line with global best practices.
The SGF pointed out that these institutions serve as the backbone of administrative processes, policy harmonisation, and intergovernmental collaboration. He therefore encouraged them to strengthen institutional capacity, foster teamwork, and leverage technology-driven governance in order to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society.
His words: “There is no gainsaying that the Secretary to the Government is the engine room of all government operations. At the heart of our responsibilities are policy coordination, cabinet affairs management, inter-governmental and inter-ministerial coordination, institutional memory and continuity in strategic advisory roles.
“The reality of the moment is the fact that our roles as Secretaries have become challenging and dynamic due to the ever-evolving technological advancement which has shifted significantly in recent times. The complexity of governance today therefore demands that we embrace digital tools for tracking, analysis and communication. Citizens are now more enlightened, connected, and more demanding, and as such, our policies must reflect transparency, responsiveness and inclusivity”.
According to him, the Forum provides an opportunity to harmonise policy implementation strategies and address crosscutting challenges, promoting sub-national alignment with national development plans.
He urged participants to maximise the platform to deepen collaborative frameworks, strengthen integration in public administration, and remain committed to excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement.
“In the face of the current security challenges bedeviling our country, as Secretaries to Governments, we must be proactive in supporting security coordination and constantly upgrade our leadership skills.
“Let me remind you that considering the nature of our governance structure, our work is interconnected. Policies, programmes and projects conceived and formulated at the federal level are cascaded to the States for implementation. Therefore this Forum offers opportunity to harmonise policy implementation strategies and to address crosscutting challenges geared towards promoting sub-national alignment with national development plans,” he added.