The Abia State Government in partnership with the LearnFactory Nigeria, has kicked off a five day intensive digital upskilling programme for Abia civil servants.
Civil servants across Grade Levels 1–17 would be equipped with essential computer skills to enhance efficiency and ensure the smooth execution of their duties.
Cross of participants
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Ministry of Women Affairs in Umuahia, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry, explained that the Abia State RAMP-UP Digital Skills Programme forms part of the government’s ongoing civil service reform efforts aimed at positioning the state’s workforce on par with counterparts in other states that have already embraced the digital space.
Pastor Eno Jerry noted that the initiative prioritizes officers in the Administration cadre, personnel in the Open and Secret Registry, PRS officers, and those who handle data. She explained that this is in line with the Governor’s approval for the implementation of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) in Abia State, through which the entire career lifecycle of civil servants would be managed electronically.
She pointed that the training is a foundational investment aimed at equipping frontline personnel of the Human Resource Management Information System with the essential computer skills required for effective performance.
Chairman Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry
Pastor Eno Jerry further disclosed that the Civil Service Commission is spearheading the skill-up programme in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, Techrise, and LearnFactory, noting that Techrise is offering technical facilitation free of charge as part of its corporate social responsibility.
In his remarks, the Primary Facilitator from LearnFactory Nigeria, Mr. Chukwuma Everest Olekaibe, welcomed participants and outlined expectations for the programme. He stated that the training is designed to equip participants with the competence needed to confidently navigate the digital space.
He explained that the training programme would cover five modules course on Digital Foundation, Document Processing Mastery, Data Analysis/Spreadsheets, Presentation Excellence, and AI-Powered Productivity, aimed at integrating workers into the Abia State RAMP-UP digital initiative, also known as Upscale Skill for Abia Civil Servants.
Olekaibe noted that the programme would adopt a hands-on approach, with 70 percent dedicated to practical exercises and 30 percent to theory, ensuring that every concept is immediately applied to real tasks.
He added that participants would be exposed to real-world projects, peer learning, mentorship and support, as well as, flexible learning delivery.
Olekaibe outlined the objectives of the programme, to include establishing a strong foundation in digital literacy across the Abia State Civil Service, building proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and other productivity tools, and developing data analysis and visualization skills for evidence-based decision-making.
Other goals, he said, include equipping civil servants with effective presentation and communication skills, introducing AI-driven productivity tools relevant to public sector service delivery, and fostering a culture of digital adoption and continuous learning within government.
The Primary Facilitator further disclosed that the Abia RAMP-UP Digital Skills Programme is a government-aligned initiative designed to equip 2,500 civil servants with 21st-century digital competencies, adding that the training would be conducted in batches of 200 participants over five intensive days (Monday to Friday).
In an interview, the Support Facilitator, Michael Prince Enyinnaya, described the programme as highly beneficial, noting that it would enhance workers’ skills and provide them with competencies that remain valuable beyond their current roles.
He added that the knowledge gained would enable participants to effectively handle documents and improve their career prospects.
