The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has charged Federal Permanent Secretaries to institutionalise ongoing reforms and build resilient systems that will sustain excellence in the Federal Civil Service beyond individual tenures.
She gave the charge at the 2026 Annual Retreat for Permanent Secretaries, which also had in attendance the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General for the Federation.
This was contained in a statement by Eno Olotu, Director, Information and Public Relations.
Mrs. Walson-Jack commended the top civil servants for progress recorded in key reform areas, particularly digital transformation and performance management, noting that the improvements have enhanced coordination, accountability and service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
However, she warned that the sustainability of these gains depends on entrenching strong institutional values and resilient systems.
Speaking on the retreat’s theme, “Delivering Results,” the HCSF led participants in reviewing milestones achieved under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021–2025.
She identified strong leadership, effective change management, strategic partnerships, enhanced digital capability, and robust monitoring and evaluation as critical pillars for long-term reform success.
Walson-Jack also acknowledged the continued partnership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), urging Permanent Secretaries to leverage the retreat to deepen inter-agency collaboration and collectively shape the next phase of the Civil Service reform agenda.
In a keynote presentation, entrepreneur and former Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Ibukun Awosika, challenged participants to rethink their leadership paradigms.
She urged them to embrace personal responsibility and adopt practical strategies that convert insights into measurable institutional performance and tangible results.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting reforms in Nigeria’s public service. She pledged continued support in areas such as digital transformation, capacity development and innovation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, Mr. Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, emphasised the critical role Permanent Secretaries play in translating government policies into meaningful improvements in citizens’ lives.
The two-day retreat featured expert-led sessions on governance reforms, financial literacy, public procurement, tax administration, and personal development topics including health, wellness, and preparation for life after public service.
Spark News reports that the retreat also marked the formal commencement of the review of the FCSSIP 2021–2025 and the development of its successor plan, aimed at strengthening execution capacity, improving inter-agency coordination, and reinforcing commitment to citizen-centred governance.
A major highlight of the event was the official launch of the 2026 International Civil Service Conference website.
According to the HCSF, the launch signals the start of activities leading to the conference and provides a central hub for registration, agenda updates, speaker information, and participation logistics.