The Department for International Development

Atos Consulting, 2008

Transforming public services for the people of Nigeria

Summary

A wide-ranging programme for the Department for International Development has helped the Nigerian government to rebuild essential services.

Between 2005 and 2008 Atos Consulting successfully implemented a £6.6 million programme for the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Presidency of Nigeria to start rebuilding the country’s core services.

Following years of military rule, public services in Nigeria were poor or non-existent. Ordinary citizens, most of them very poor, battled against corruption and struggled to understand their rights or get redress when services failed.

The President established SERVICOM to help Nigerians get good service. UK’s then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, offered to help, and DFID chose Atos Consulting to turn these promises into reality.

In challenging circumstances, working across a huge geographical area with diverse agencies and complex priorities, Atos Consulting helped the country transform its public institutions.

Often in poor working conditions, previously demoralised public servants are now inspired and equipped to make significant changes that are already improving lives across Nigeria.

The team worked with SERVICOM to introduce concepts of customer service and accountability across the country, as well as the skills and structures to sustain these. They collaborated with over 5,000 public servants to deliver projects which have shown what is possible in this large and complex country. The initiatives are sustainable and are being replicated throughout Nigeria with little or no additional resources.

This ambitious programme has contributed directly to DFID’s strategic goals. It has laid foundations for the future by transforming the aspirations of citizens and public servants across Nigeria.

Problem/opportunity faced by client
One of the world’s major oil producers, Nigeria suffers vast inequality of wealth with over 70% of its population living below the poverty line.

In recent decades public institutions have been failing Nigeria’s people. Poor-quality or non-existent services were rife with corruption and insufferable delays. This was undermining the legitimacy of government and its contract with the people.

Elected to form the first functioning democracy for decades in 1999, President Obasanjo determined to improve the situation.

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