By Stella Odueme
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has charged Federal Permanent Secretaries to intensify efforts towards embedding ongoing reforms into the fabric of the Civil Service, ensuring the creation of durable systems and a legacy of sustained excellence.
Mrs. Walson-Jack gave this charge at the 2026 Annual Retreat for Permanent Secretaries, which also included the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General for the Federation, a statement by the Director of Information & Public Relations, Eno Olotu, said.
She commended the participants for their significant strides in advancing key priority areas, such as digital transformation and performance management, noting that these efforts have marked improved coordination, accountability, and service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The HCSF, however, stressed that the sustainability of these gains is contingent upon the entrenchment of strong institutional values and resilient systems. Speaking on the retreat’s theme, “Delivering Results,” she guided participants in a review of the progress made under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021-2025.
She identified strong leadership, effective change management, strategic partnerships, enhanced digital capability, and robust monitoring and evaluation as critical pillars for long-term sustainability.
While acknowledging the invaluable and continued partnership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the HCSF urged the Permanent Secretaries to leverage the retreat as a platform to deepen inter-agency collaboration and collectively shape the next phase of the service’s reform agenda.
In a compelling presentation, renowned entrepreneur, author, and former Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Ibukun Awosika, encouraged the participants to critically reassess their leadership paradigms.
She urged them to strengthen their sense of personal responsibility and adopt practical strategies that translate individual insights into measurable institutional performance and tangible results.
In her goodwill message, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, reaffirmed the agency’s strong and enduring partnership with the Office of the HCSF. She assured the participants of the UNDP’s unwavering support for initiatives aimed at advancing digital transformation, strengthening capacity development, and fostering innovation within the Nigerian public service.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Special Duties Office, Mr. Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, underscored the pivotal role Permanent Secretaries play in translating government policies into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
The two-day retreat featured a series of expert-led sessions covering a broad spectrum of critical areas, including governance reforms, financial literacy, public procurement, tax administration, and personal development topics such as health and wellness, and preparation for life after public service.
The retreat also served as the formal commencement of the review process for the FCSSIP 2021-2025 and the development of its successor plan. It also aimed to strengthen execution capacity, improve inter-agency coordination, and reinforce a collective commitment to citizen-centred governance.
The highpoint of the retreat was the Official launch of the 2026 International Civil Service Conference Website.
