……………says the retreat was impact assessment, continuous learning and iterative change management process.
In his efforts to scale-up reform in the Commission and to strengthen his collaboration with Head of Service Federal Civil Service and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP); the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa has said the essence of the ongoing Commission’s 2025 Strategic Retreat is to set in motion a series of strategic processes that will transform the FCSC into a critical HRM expert advisory hub that the Federal Government can draw on.
He disclosed that the retreat was an impact assessment to determine what is working and what is not in the Commission; adding that the event was organized to deepen, consolidate and clarify many grey areas within a continuous learning and iterative change management process.
Olaopa, who stated this on Monday at the Commission’s 3-day In-house Strategy Retreat held in Abuja Inter-Continental Hotel; informed the gathering that the programme was borne out of the urgent need to reposition the organization, given the charge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the reconstituted 10th Commission.
He further said that for the Commission to support the government’s 1trillion dollar economic objective, FCSC needed to re-professionalize through reinvention, deepening and strengthening of its competency-based HRM practices in the service. He said that the repositioning plan the rapid assessment yielded went through measure of consultation, including Mr. President’s blessing which enabled the Commission via the plan to clearly see the challenges of the FCSC from the inception of the 10th Commission till date.
Olaopa who was at the event with his distinguished Commissioners emphasized that with the Commission’s one and a half years into its tenure was developing a diagnostic intelligence and insights, as to the direction the FCSC ought to be transformed into in a more deeply structural and institutional terms based on more rigorous and systematic diagnosis-rooted research and intelligence using typical strategic planning methodology; and grounded in significant stakeholders contributions and buy-in within the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government.
Olaopa commended the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Philips for coordinating and working with the team of expert-consultants and in-house inter-departmental committee. He intimated that after the retreat, a steering committee of Honourable Commissioners that will provide leadership and direction to the whole strategy process will be put in place.
The Chairman recognised the efforts of the team of expert-consultants and development partners which included Dr. Otive Igbuzor, the lead consultant. Prof. Bamidele Olowu, renowned professor of public administration at the old University of Ife and global scholar. Dr. Bert Odiaka, retired partner at PwC and Dr. Egem Odey, retired Federal Director of Administration and former FCSC Director of Promotion, as well as Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) via United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for support and funding for the strategy process.
He revealed that the retreat is the first-level technical stakeholder engagement which will be followed with some other expanded stakeholders consultations involving partners from outside of the Commission.
In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Phillip said the goal of the retreat is to reposition the FCSC as a forward-thinking, people-centered and performance-driven institution that is fully equipped to meet the challenges of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow.
He urged the participants to approach this workshop with openness, creativity, and willingness to challenge the status quo.
First day, the retreat covered topics such as: “Strategic Journey of FCSC-How we have fared” delivered by Mr. Chike Ogbechie; “Overview of the Strategic Plan Development Process and Expectations” by Dr. Otive Igbuzor and “Re-validation of FCSC Mission, Vision and Core Values” by Dr. Bert Odiaka and “Situation Analysis: Syndicate Work on PPESTLE and SWOT Analysis” also, by Dr. Bert Odiaka.
The strategic retreat event which continues today, Tuesday when Prof. Dele Olowu will do his presentation on “Civil Service Commission Organisation and Management-Lessons from other jurisdictions” followed by group presentations on: “Situation Analysis: Syndicate Work on PPESTLE and SWOT Analysis” to be coordinated by Dr. Bert Odiaka.
The event closes on Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025 where an overview of the 3-day event will be examined and communique issued thereafter.
Signed.
Taiwo Hassan
Head (Press & Public Relations).
1st July, 2025.
