Abuja: Nigeria has begun the process of reviewing obsolete policies and formulating new ones that will drive growth and development. This decisive step to strengthen governance and public service delivery, according to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Esther Didi Walson-Jack, is part of a broader drive to build a public sector capable of leading reform and laying the groundwork for better governance, stronger institutions, and improved service delivery.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the HCSF, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office (CMO), Dr. Fatima Mahmood, emphasized the importance of continuous capacity building as the foundation for effective service delivery during the launch of the second edition of the Civil Service Directors Training Programme. This programme, focusing on Effective Policy Writing and Review, addresses one of the most pressing challenges in Nigeria’s governance structure.
Dr. Mahmood highlighted that the Head of the Civil Service has prioritized capacity building under the first pillar of FCSSIP 25 – Capability Building and Talent Management. She stated, ‘Without skilled personnel, the service cannot meet the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President or deliver meaningful change to the Nigerian people.’ She further explained that despite limited resources, the strategy of ‘cascading training’ ensures a broader impact, with directors expected to return to their ministries and train their teams to promote knowledge transfer across the service.
In her remarks, the Vice Chairman of OPTS, Mr. Elue Olumagin, noted that effective public policy remains the bedrock of a stable investment climate. He stated that policies are foundational to business stability and asserted that the training is a direct investment in building a capable public sector that can deliver and sustain policy environments attractive to long-term investment across Nigeria’s economy. Olumagin emphasized that the government cannot achieve development goals alone and commended OPTS’ partnership with the public sector as an example of productive collaboration necessary for building a better country.
The Founder of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, represented by the Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Chioma Njoku, underscored the urgency of policy reform. She cited findings from previous training sessions that revealed many outdated government policies had not been reviewed in decades and stressed the importance of equipping directors to review these policies effectively.
Njoku emphasized that success would be measured by how well these policies are translated into actionable plans, implemented by ministries, and ultimately, how they improve the lives of Nigerians. She stated, ‘Policies must not sit on shelves. We expect to see collaboration across ministries, outdated policies being reviewed, and new ones being crafted based on evidence and national priorities. By next year, we want to see policies driving ministry budgets and programmes.’
This training initiative is a key part of efforts to modernize the Nigerian Civil Service and ensure it becomes a proactive and capable driver of national development.