The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has intensified efforts to modernise public service delivery by equipping its workforce with essential digital skills, including Microsoft PowerPoint and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Speaking at a Capacity Building programme, at Ile Igbimo Awon Oba, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, described the initiative as the beginning of a continuous learning process aimed at building a future ready workforce capable of thriving in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

According to him, the training formed part of the Ministry’s Sharing of Learning Experience series and was designed to leverage the expertise of experienced officers within the Ministry, rather than relying on external consultants, disclosing that the approach reflected the Ministry’s confidence in its internal capacity and commitment to fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing among staff.

“The world has moved beyond traditional methods of service delivery. Today, efficiency, innovation and digital competence define the character of a modern civil servant,” Akinlesi said.

He noted that proficiency in digital tools such as PowerPoint and AI would empower officers to become true 21st-century public servants capable of delivering innovative, efficient and citizen-focused services.

The Permanent Secretary urged officers on Grade Levels 10 to 17 to approach the training with enthusiasm and commitment, stressing that continuous learning remained vital to building a resilient and responsive civil service.

The facilitators that included the duo of Mr. Damilola Sowunmi and Mr. John Adekunle, while speaking during a session on Microsoft PowerPoint, challenged participants to move beyond basic slide presentations and embrace more strategic communication techniques, emphasising that effective presentations were powerful tools for communicating visions, goals and achievements as well as enhancing productivity and projecting a professional image during engagements with stakeholders.

The facilitators encouraged participants to adopt modern presentation methods such as visual storytelling, data visualisation and audience engagement strategies, noting that these skills would strengthen communication, improve decision-making and enhance the Ministry’s reputation.

In a separate lecture on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Resource person Mr. Babatope Akerele, highlighted the growing importance of AI in the workplace, explaining that the technology could be categorised into different types, each designed to meet specific needs and objectives.

Akerele, urged participants to develop their digital competencies and responsibly leverage AI-powered solutions to enhance productivity, innovation and service delivery within the public sector.

Earlier Akinlesi, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his commitment to staff development and capacity building, describing it as a key component of the administration’s vision for a more responsive and efficient government.

He also acknowledged the Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka, for directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies to prioritise capacity development, while appreciating the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, for fostering an enabling environment that motivates staff to excel.

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that the training aligned with the Ogun State Government’s broader strategy of enhancing the competence and productivity of public servants through technology-driven learning and professional development.

Responding on behalf of participants, Mr. Akinlabi and Mrs. Okuboyejo, expressed gratitude to the Management for providing the opportunity to strengthen their digital competencies, noting that the knowledge acquired would significantly improve the quality of service delivery across the public sector.