By Stella Odueme
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, met with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, on Thursday to discuss expanding cooperation in civil service reforms aimed at enhancing productivity and governance in both nations.
Mrs. Walson-Jack expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for its continued partnership with the Nigerian Civil Service, emphasizing that this collaboration will strengthen governance structures and improve service delivery.
She described the High Commissioner’s visit as a significant milestone that could pave the way for deeper collaboration between Nigeria, the UK, and other international partners.
Reflecting on her recent engagement with the UK Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Mrs. Walson-Jack remarked, “Your visit today presents an opportunity to solidify the discussions we had during my visit to the UK.”
She highlighted Capability Building and Talent Management, the first pillar of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP-25), as a key area of mutual interest for both countries.
Mrs. Walson-Jack further proposed expanding the Capability Building and Talent Management scope through exchange programmes and study tours in collaboration with the UK Civil Service.
She also expressed interest in incorporating the UK’s Service Live Programme during Nigeria’s 2025 Civil Service Week, viewing it as a platform for professional development, networking, and capacity building across public service sectors.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation outlined several initiatives she has championed since assuming office, including the reintroduction of the Federal Civil Service Anthem, and the creation of “War Rooms” to accelerate the implementation of FCSSIP-25.
These efforts she explained, are designed to foster innovation and creativity within the civil service.
In his response, Dr. Richard Montgomery congratulated Mrs. Walson-Jack on her appointment and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service reforms.
He stated that ongoing discussions would focus on aligning UK support with Nigeria’s priorities, particularly through the FCSSIP-25 “War Rooms.”
Dr. Montgomery highlighted the UK’s readiness to assist Nigeria in areas such as digital professionalization and risk management, and expressed mutual interest in learning from Nigeria’s reform strategies. He noted that both nations face similar challenges in enhancing Civil Service productivity, and collaboration would be beneficial in achieving shared objectives.
The British High Commissioner assured sustained support from the UK in advancing Nigeria’s Civil Service reforms and emphasized the importance of building a robust partnership to accelerate progress.
