ASABA, DELTA STATE – 5 NOVEMBER 2026 – The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and Chairman of the 45th Annual National Council of Civil Service Commissions of the Federation, Professor Tunji Olaopa, has charged Federal and State Civil Service Commissions to translate the resolutions of the Council into measurable institutional reforms, stressing that the success of the annual engagement would ultimately be determined by the quality of implementation rather than the declarations made.
Speaking at the closing of the five-day Council meeting in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday,
Professor Olaopa, described the meeting as a significant step towards establishing a common reform agenda for repositioning Civil Service Commissions as professional, competent, ethical and adaptable institutions capable of meeting contemporary governance and national development demands.
He identified key priorities emerging from the deliberations to include strengthening merit-based recruitment alongside national spread, establishing consistent guidelines for appointments, promotions and disciplinary procedures, improving collaboration with Offices of the Heads of Service, and ensuring the effective operationalisation of the Performance Management System as a credible basis for personnel decisions.
He also emphasised the need to recognise exceptional performance, address promotion stagnation responsibly and strengthen fairness and accountability in career management.
The FCSC Chairman further underscored the urgency of digital modernisation of personnel records, recruitment and administrative processes, noting that technology-driven reforms should deliver tangible improvements in efficiency, transparency, record management and service delivery.
He called for stronger institutional safeguards against recruitment fraud, scams and racketeering, alongside improved public communication, active institutional websites and periodic performance reporting to rebuild public confidence in the Civil Service.
On organisational culture and future readiness, Professor Olaopa called for continuous learning, digital competence and institutional preparedness for emerging professional demands, including the application of Artificial Intelligence. He stressed that leadership conduct, professional standards and the recognition of deserving contributions would remain critical to entrenching the culture change required for a future-ready Civil Service.
Expressing concern over the relatively low implementation of previous Council resolutions, he urged all Commissions to establish practical implementation plans, assign responsibilities and adopt measurable indicators for tracking progress.
He noted that the implementation-tracking mechanism agreed upon by the Council should facilitate accountability, identify institutional constraints and promote peer learning and sustained collaboration among Federal and State Commissions.
Professor Olaopa reaffirmed the Federal Civil Service Commission’s commitment to advancing the shared reform agenda through the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, particularly in digital transformation, professionalisation of its Secretariat, stronger stakeholder partnerships and evidence-based administration.
He expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Delta State, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Noble Lady (Chief) Roseline Eno Amioku, delegates, resource persons, the organising committee and the media for their contributions to the successful hosting of the meeting, before formally declaring the substantive proceedings of the 45th Annual National Council closed.
Ibraheem Zakariyya anipr,
Head, Press & Public Relations
For the Commission
