FG highlights reforms, collaboration for better public sector

Lagos, April 4, 2025 — The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, on Friday paid a collaborative visit to the Centre for Management Development (CMD) operational office in Shangisha, Lagos, as part of her ongoing engagement with institutions driving public sector capacity building.

Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Walson-Jack who was represented by Mrs Fatima Mahmood, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in building a unified, efficient, and future-ready civil service.

 “This visit reflects our shared commitment to strengthening partnerships among institutions tasked with building the human capital of our public service,” she stated.

The CMD, which has operated for over five decades, was lauded for its critical role in equipping public servants with essential skills amidst the evolving demands of governance and technology. 

The Head of Service praised CBD's Director-General, Mr Bitrus Chinoko, and his team for notable strides in management consultancy accreditation, digital learning innovations, and ongoing curriculum development.

Although CMD operates under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Walson-Jack noted the alignment of its mission with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), adding that the collaboration aims to harmonize training efforts, eliminate redundancies, and promote value-driven development strategies.

During her address, the Head of Service outlined key reforms introduced under her leadership, which includes the launch of Service-Wise GPT (an AI-powered decision support tool), GOVMail (a secure communication platform), and the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy.

 Additional initiatives such as mentorship programs, reward and recognition policies, and the Online Compendium of Circulars were also highlighted as part of efforts to boost operational efficiency and employee engagement.

Underscoring the theme “FCSSIP 25: Final Sprint – Delivering Results,” she announced the introduction of Executive Master Classes targeting senior government officials.

 The classes, developed in consultation with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, will focus on strategic leadership, governance, and institutional performance, with CMD playing a key role in delivering the programme.

Walson-Jack urged CMD to continue evolving its training strategies by embracing innovation, forming new partnerships, and adopting forward-thinking technologies to better prepare the civil service for emerging workplace challenges.

She concluded by expressing optimism about deeper collaboration in areas such as curriculum development, faculty exchange, and standardized training across public institutions. 

“Together, we can unlock greater value, ensure wider reach, and sustain quality in our collective capacity-building efforts,” she said.

The visit marks another milestone in the federal government’s commitment to strengthening public service delivery through strategic reform and collaborative leadership.

Mr Bitrus Chinoko, the Director-General of the CMD in his welcome address, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Nigerian Council for Management Development NCMD and CMD staff.

He also commended the Head of Service for her commitment and doggedness towards ensuring that officials are well trained. 

He reaffirmed the centre’s critical role as Nigeria’s apex management development institution, established in 1973 under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to promote, regulate, and coordinate management education and training in the country.

Highlighting the centre’s achievements, Chinoko noted that under the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and with the support of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CMD had secured significant infrastructure funding in the 2024 budget.

 Renovation projects for administrative buildings, training complexes, and residential blocks are underway, while a new 200-room hostel with conference and training facilities is also under construction.

The DG also emphasised CMD’s continued investment in staff capacity development, both domestically and internationally, since 2018.

 He appreciated the longstanding patronage of the Office of the Head of Civil Service and expressed optimism for continued collaboration.

However, Mr. Chinoko raised concerns over the non-utilisation of government-recognised Management Development Institutes (MDIs) such as CMD, ASCON, and PSIN by many ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as the increasing prevalence of unaccredited training firms. 

According to him, over 8,000 firms have been accredited by the Council, yet many continue to operate without due recognition of NCMD regulations.

"This lack of compliance has led to the proliferation of unqualified training providers, resulting in minimal impact on staff performance despite high expenditure," Chinoko said.

He emphasised that accreditation ensures quality assurance, enhances competitiveness,

 and guarantees professional standards in training delivery.