By Okon Okon

The Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, says the commission is committed to restoring merit, professionalism and strategic focus in the Nigerian Civil Service as part of ongoing reform efforts.

Olaopa stated this at the close of a three-day Strategic Development Retreat organised for commissioners and staff of the commission in Abuja.

He explained that the retreat was a direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s charge on Dec. 13, 2023, for a complete transformation, reorientation and digitisation of the federal bureaucracy to enhance productivity.

He said this was in addition to support private sector-led growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that on assuming office, the commission’s leadership undertook a rapid diagnostic assessment, which revealed a pressing need to shift from a patronage-driven structure to a system rooted in merit, efficiency and excellence.”

According to him, this realisation, along with the administration’s ambition to grow Nigeria’s economy to 1 trillion dollars by 2030, informed the decision to develop the commission’s first-ever strategic plan in its 71-year history.

“The retreat, held with technical support from the partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PAGE) a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) programme focused on re-engineering the FCSC for better delivery of its core mandate.

“Key outcomes of the retreat include a cross-national comparative analysis of global best practices, covering civil service commissions in the U.S., UK, Canada, South Africa, Kenya and Malawi.

“Lessons were also drawn from institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“Participants also undertook a revalidation of the commission’s vision, mission and core values; developed a draft strategic plan; and conducted a comprehensive PESTLE and SWOT analysis to understand internal and external factors affecting the commission’s performance.”

The chairman of the FCSC also said that retreat addressed stakeholder mapping and examined the erosion of meritocracy in human resource management.

He noted that while the civil service was not overstaffed in absolute terms, a mismatch of skills and functions had hindered productivity.

“The commission reaffirms its commitment to restoring the principle of merit as the cornerstone of recruitment, promotion and discipline within the federal civil service,” he said.

Olaopa said that the commission as part of its resolution agreed to finalise a five-year strategic plan (2025 to 2029), introduce a performance-managed secretariat, and link annual promotions to measurable outcomes and accountability.

“It will also pursue the following key goals; institutionalise a transparent, technology-driven recruitment system, introduce a performance-based promotion framework and strengthen ethical disciplinary procedures.

“It will further establish a culture of recognition and reward, reposition the FCSC as a reform-driven body aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

He emphasised that these reforms were crucial to restoring public trust, enhancing service delivery, and supporting the current administration’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

“We are resolute to implement the reforms and position the FCSC as a model for public sector excellence in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker