By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, has been honoured with an honorary fellowship of the Institute for his contributions to public sector reforms and institutional development.
Arabi received the fellowship at the 2026 Annual Emergency Response and Simulation Summit held recently in Abuja, where he also called for stronger institutions, real-time data and improved inter-agency coordination to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters.
The summit featured the official launch of the ECRMI Real-Time Disaster Data Management System Platform, designed to strengthen the use of technology and timely information in emergency management.
Speaking at the event, Arabi said the increasing complexity and frequency of emergencies required a coordinated, innovative and technology-driven approach involving government and other stakeholders.
He said effective emergency management should not be limited to responding to incidents after they occur, but must involve building institutions that are prepared, responsive, coordinated and resilient.
According to him, access to accurate, timely and reliable disaster data would strengthen early warning systems, improve resource allocation, facilitate inter-agency coordination and enable decision-makers to respond promptly to emerging risks.
Arabi described the ECRMI platform as an important step towards harnessing technology and information to improve emergency preparedness and response.
He, however, stressed that technology must be backed by institutional reforms, clearly defined responsibilities, effective coordination mechanisms, appropriate skills, interoperable systems and strong accountability frameworks.
The BPSR boss also urged stakeholders to promote responsible information sharing while maintaining high standards of data integrity, security and responsible use.
He identified digital transformation, innovation, performance management and institutional capacity development as critical components of Nigeria’s ongoing public service reform efforts.
Arabi said emergency and disaster management provided a compelling case for such reforms, noting that delays in decision-making could have serious consequences.
He therefore called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving government agencies, academia, technology companies, development partners, professional bodies, communities and the private sector.
He urged stakeholders to prioritise institutional ownership, interoperability, capacity building, sustainability, data governance and measurable impact.
According to him, the ultimate test of any digital governance platform should be its ability to improve decision-making, strengthen coordination and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Arabi reaffirmed the BPSR’s commitment to initiatives promoting efficient institutions, innovation, accountability, digital transformation and improved public service delivery.
He congratulated the organisers and expressed confidence that the summit’s deliberations and simulations would contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s emergency preparedness architecture and building a more resilient society.
