By Palma Ileye
Ministry of Interior has commissioned an Innovation Hub aimed at promoting creativity, environmental sustainability, and improved service delivery as part of its ongoing public service reform agenda.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, described the facility as a strategic platform that will harness the creativity and ingenuity of staff while encouraging resourcefulness through the conversion of waste materials into valuable products.
Ajani explained that the hub would promote the “waste-to-wealth” concept by transforming recyclable materials such as paper and textile remnants into decorative items, handcrafted artworks, and functional office accessories.
According to her, innovation remains a key driver of efficiency and productivity in the public service, noting that the initiative will not only support environmental sustainability but also provide staff with opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills and create economic value from discarded materials.
To ensure the sustainability of the project, the Permanent Secretary directed the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mrs. Vera Azoro, to establish a structured financial framework for the Innovation Hub.
She recommended the creation of a dedicated revolving fund to support reinvestment, expansion, and the long-term operation of the facility.
Ajani also urged members of staff to sustain the culture of innovation and reform beyond individual leadership, stressing that institutional development should be driven by strong systems rather than personalities.
She further highlighted the role of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Units in enhancing efficiency across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), calling on officers to remain proactive and committed to advancing the Federal Government’s public service reform agenda.
“The true measure of this initiative is not in its commissioning but in its continuity. You must build on this foundation, strengthen it, and ensure it outlives individual tenures,” she said.
She encouraged staff to make full use of the Innovation Hub as a centre for collaboration, creativity, knowledge sharing, and skills development while ensuring its proper maintenance and efficient operation.
The commissioning of the Innovation Hub marks another milestone in the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to build a more innovative, productive, efficient, and service-oriented public service in line with the Federal Government’s reform objectives.
