In a significant move to enhance institutional synergy and governance efficacy, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has called for a deepened and sustained partnership between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasized that a culture of cooperation and shared purpose is fundamental to accelerating national development.
The HCSF delivered this charge at a Joint Management Retreat, themed “Enhancing Collaboration for an Efficient and Productive Civil Service in Nigeria,” held in Abuja. She characterized the forum as a pivotal step towards reinforcing institutional alignment and operational harmony.
Mrs. Walson-Jack extended gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his steadfast confidence in the Nigerian Civil Service and his support for its ongoing transformation. She also commended the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, for his visionary leadership, citing landmark achievements under his tenure, including the implementation of a Strategic Plan, computer-based testing, and merit-based recruitment systems that have enhanced transparency.
The HCSF articulated that the retreat’s primary objective was to identify and bridge operational gaps between the two institutions. She stated that true institutional synergy requires not only structural reform but also a foundation of mutual trust, open communication, and shared accountability to ensure seamless policy implementation.
Highlighting the progress of key reform initiatives such as the Personnel Audit, Skills Gap Analysis, Digitalisation of Processes, and the Performance Management System (PMS) .Mrs. Walson-Jack described the retreat as a strategic platform to consolidate gains and translate collaborative insights into tangible outcomes.
In his remarks, the FCSC Chairman, Professor Tunji Olaopa, commended the HCSF for her exemplary leadership and collaborative spirit, which he noted are instrumental in fostering a unified and professional Civil Service. He affirmed that the retreat provides a critical consultative mechanism to harmonize policies, resolve operational challenges in human resource management, and enhance synergy in recruitment, promotion, and discipline.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), Dr. Deborah Odoh, underscored the critical role of both institutions in shaping a competent and efficient Civil Service. She urged participants to focus on generating actionable strategies to fortify institutional synergy.
The landmark retreat was attended by Honourable Commissioners of the FCSC, Permanent Secretaries from the OHCSF, Directors, and other key stakeholders.
This reinforced collaboration between the OHCSF and the FCSC underscores the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, to building a dynamic, merit-based, and digitally driven Civil Service that delivers measurable results for the Nigerian people.
Signed
Mrs. Eno Olotu, FCAI, mnipr
Director, Information and Public Relations
14th October 2025
