Abuja: The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has strengthened its partnership with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS). The partnership aims to enhance policy development skills among civil servants as part of a broader effort to build a more effective, evidence-based, and citizen-centred public service. The initiative focuses on equipping directors with the tools needed to design and implement impactful government policies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Chioma Njoku, highlighted this initiative during the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Federal Civil Service Directors’ Training Programme in Abuja. Njoku emphasized that the programme is structured to equip Federal Civil Service Directors with advanced skills required for leading a more effective and citizen-focused government. She noted that the 2024 edition of the programme emphasized project management, communication, and leadership skills, while this year’s focus is on effective policy writing and review.
Njoku explained that Nigerian Civil Service directors play a central role in policy development, and the programme aims to empower them to develop, review, and evaluate policies that are practical, evidence-based, and impactful. She acknowledged the challenges in transforming sound ideas into effective policies but stressed that this training would provide directors with the necessary tools to manage the entire policy lifecycle within Nigeria’s unique public sector environment.
Further, Njoku emphasized that when directors are equipped with skills to craft clear, evidence-based, and people-centred policies, the result is improved governance and better service delivery that benefits citizens. She described the programme as an investment in Nigeria’s future, combining practical techniques in drafting and reviewing policies with real-world case studies. These case studies demonstrate how enhanced policy skills can lead to transformational outcomes, such as streamlined regulations that support local businesses and well-crafted health policies that ensure timely delivery of essential supplies to clinics.
In addition, Mrs Eluemuno Olumagin, Vice Chairperson of the OPTS HR Subcommittee, underscored the importance of a strong civil service in national development. She highlighted that a robust and efficient civil service forms the foundation of a stable and prosperous Nigeria. Olumagin also pointed out that for the private sector, a competent civil service is crucial as it directly impacts the environment for investment, operation, and job creation. By focusing on practical policy development skills for senior civil servants, the programme aims to bridge the gap between government intentions and the lived experiences of citizens, thereby fostering a more accountable, responsive, and results-driven civil service.