…To Build Future-Ready Public Service
By Ebi Kesiena
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Walson-Jack, has urged public service leaders across Nigeria to embrace evidence-based reforms, deepen collaboration across all levels of government and leverage digital innovation to build a more efficient and future-ready public service.
Walson-Jack made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 48th Meeting of the National Council on Establishments (NCE) held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
She noted that achieving President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda depends largely on the capacity and effectiveness of the country’s civil and public services.
She described the National Council on Establishments as the apex policy-making body responsible for matters relating to public service structures, Schemes of Service and Conditions of Service, stressing that its decisions must be guided by professionalism, patriotism and objectivity in the interest of Nigerians.
The HCSF explained that the ongoing review of the Schemes of Service and requests for the creation of new cadres would be guided by findings from the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA).
According to her, PASGA will provide credible workforce data to ensure establishment decisions are based on institutional needs, workforce realities and the demands of the future of work.
She noted that the initiative extends beyond digital verification, explaining that it is designed to identify workforce competencies, highlight critical skills gaps and generate reliable data for training, deployment, workforce development and succession planning in the public service.
Walson-Jack also commended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the state government for hosting the council meeting and appreciated the governor for personally attending the ceremony.
Declaring the meeting open, Governor Fubara described the public service as the engine room of government and stressed the need for institutions to become more agile, digitally driven and accountable to meet evolving technological and workforce demands.
He applauded the HCSF for her leadership in driving reforms within the Federal Civil Service, adding that Rivers State is studying several of the federal initiatives for possible adoption.
Earlier, the Head of Service of Rivers State, Dr. Inyingi Brown, said the gathering reflected a collective commitment to building a stronger, more responsive and globally competitive public service.
The 48th NCE meeting brought together the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Heads of Service from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as other senior government officials.
