Mr. Arabi gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary/Director-General of the Gombe State Bureau for Public Service Reforms at the Government House, where he assessed the reform initiatives being implemented under the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Speaking during the visit, the BPSR Director-General acknowledged the strategic steps taken by the Gombe State Government in strengthening its reform architecture, particularly the decision to implement the Bureau’s earlier recommendations submitted in 2017 for the establishment of a State Bureau for Public Service Reforms. He noted that the move has not only deepened institutional coordination but has also positioned Gombe as a model for other subnational governments seeking to modernise their public service systems.
According to him, the reform trajectory of the state is already yielding measurable outcomes, especially in revenue mobilisation and administrative efficiency. He cited the significant improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which rose from about ₦6 billion in 2019 to over ₦40 billion in 2025, attributing the growth to deliberate reforms, digital governance initiatives, and improved fiscal management structures introduced by the state government.
While describing Gombe as being on the right reform track, Mr. Arabi emphasised that more work is required to consolidate the gains already recorded, particularly through the full digitisation of local government administration. He stressed that sustainable public service reform must extend beyond the state civil service to the grassroots level, where service delivery directly impacts citizens.
He acknowledged the state’s adoption of biometric verification across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as a critical step in eliminating ghost workers, but called for the complete digitisation of payroll systems to further enhance transparency, accountability, and cost efficiency. He also highlighted the need for digital procurement processes, automated promotion systems, and integrated implementation frameworks that will reduce bureaucratic delays and promote merit-based administration.
Mr. Arabi further encouraged the state to fully embrace a paperless governance policy, noting that several federal institutions and reform-driven states have already begun transitioning to electronic documentation and workflow systems to improve efficiency and reduce operational leakages. He assured the state of the Bureau’s continued technical support, recalling previous collaborations, including the training of procurement directors and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional performance.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary/Director-General of the Gombe State Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a morale booster and a validation of the reform direction of the state government. He reiterated the commitment of the state to sustain and deepen reforms that have proven effective in enhancing governance outcomes.
He disclosed that the digitisation of key government processes, including budget preparation, implementation mechanisms, and operations of agencies such as Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS), has significantly improved transparency and service delivery in the state. According to him, the introduction of biometric systems across MDAs in 2021 resulted in substantial savings for the government and helped sanitise the state payroll system.
Alhaji Hassan maintained that the revenue growth recorded by the state is a clear indicator of the impact of reform-driven governance, adding that the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya remains open to adopting emerging innovations that will further strengthen institutional efficiency and public sector accountability.
He also revealed that preparations are at an advanced stage for the implementation of a paperless policy in governance, noting that the state is ready to welcome additional reforms that will make its public service more vibrant, responsive, and globally competitive.
The visit, analysts observe, reflects a growing synergy between federal reform institutions and subnational governments in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reposition the public service as a driver of development.
With its expanding digital reforms, biometric payroll sanitisation, and improved revenue profile, Gombe State is increasingly being viewed as a reform-oriented state aligning governance processes with modern administrative standards while laying the foundation for a more transparent and technology-driven public service system.
Aliyu Umar
Head, Strategic Communication
22nd February, 2026.