Public sector governance experts have urged leaders to develop the capacity to understand the risks, ethics and consequences of technology rather than assuming effective digital governance requires them to become technical specialists.
The recommendation was made at a public sector leadership forum in Lagos organised by the Centre for Public Sector Governance with partner institutions.
The event focused on global governance practices and the creation of measurable public value.
Participants argued that while the principles of good governance remain relatively stable, leaders now operate in an environment shaped by rapidly changing technology, data and social expectations.
Centre for Public Sector Governance Chief Operating Officer Oyebisi Taiwo said institutions needed stronger systems and more effective global practices to deliver measurable results.
Keynote speaker Debra Brown said one of the major governance risks was the false belief by leaders that they fully understood situations when their information or perspective was incomplete.
She introduced a governance fitness approach centred on the capacity of institutions to apply sound principles under changing conditions.
Brown identified strategic agility, public trust, intelligence oversight, cultural resilience and leadership succession as important areas.
She said technology oversight involved understanding opportunities, risks, ethics, data and consequences rather than mastering every technical detail.
Panelists also emphasised accountability, institutional strength and reliable data.
Federal Civil Service Commission Permanent Secretary Emeka Vitalis Obi identified inconsistent implementation as a major weakness in governance.
He said institutions too often depended on personalities rather than stable systems.
Nigerian Railway Corporation Managing Director Kayode Opeifa called for stronger measurement of outcomes, higher productivity, reduced corruption and more citizen centred public policy.
Speakers said the goal of governance reform should be stronger institutions capable of adapting without losing accountability or public trust.
