*Photo:Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack(2nd right) speaking on Monday at a press conference*
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack has enumerated some achievements recorded in the past 100 days of her appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
She spoke on Monday, 25th November 2024 in Abuja at a press conference marking her first 100 days as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Walson-Jack.
According to her, “The first 100 days in office is a significant milestone. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements recorded, perform a thorough audit of progress, and identifythe goals ahead. It is also a time to pause and acknowledge the challenges we face, aswell as reaffirm our shared resolve to overcome them. Today’s event is not just about celebrating milestones but also about fostering transparency, sharing our vision for thefuture, and ensuring that every Nigerian understands the importance of the reforms weare undertaking in the Federal Civil Service.”
Speaking on the significant strides recorded in the Federal Civil Service since she came on board as the Head of Service, she said “Since assuming office on 14 August 2024, my commitment has been clear: to fast-track, accelerate and sustain the reforms outlined in the Federal Civil ServiceStrategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25). This strategy is the blueprint for transforming the Civil Service into a professional, efficient, and globallycompetitive institution.
” To this end, we set up and inaugurated seven “war rooms,” each dedicated to overseeing one of the six pillars of the FCSSIP reforms and the enablers.These war rooms ensure that no initiative is neglected, and that progress is both measurable and impactful.”
Read her full speech below:
ADDRESS BY THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATIONMRS. DIDI ESTHER WALSON-JACK, OON, mni, AT THE FIRST 100 DAYS PRESS CONFERENCE IN ABUJA ON THE 25th OF NOVEMBER 2024
PROTOCOL
I express my heartfelt gratitude to God Almighty for His grace, which has sustained andguided us to this point. It is by His divine wisdom and favor that we are gathered heretoday to reflect on our journey thus far.
2.I also thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me by appointing me to serve in this esteemed role. This trust is a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace with unwavering commitment. To my dedicated staff, the Body of Super Transformative Permanent Secretaries, and the entire Civil Service community, your support, resilience, and dedication have been instrumental in driving the progress we have made. To the Media Executives and their correspondents, our Partners and all present here today, thank you for taking the time to engage with the work we are doing to transform the Federal Civil Service into a moreefficient and innovative institution.
3. The first 100 days in office is a significant milestone. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements recorded, perform a thorough audit of progress, and identifythe goals ahead. It is also a time to pause and acknowledge the challenges we face, aswell as reaffirm our shared resolve to overcome them. Today’s event is not just about celebrating milestones but also about fostering transparency, sharing our vision for the future, and ensuring that every Nigerian understands the importance of the reforms weare undertaking in the Federal Civil Service.
4.This press conference forms part of the celebration of my first 100 days in office.This milestone is being commemorated under the theme “Marching to Greatness” whichwas inspired by the Federal Civil Service Anthem.
5.Since assuming office on 14 August 2024, my commitment has been clear: to fast-track, accelerate and sustain the reforms outlined in the Federal Civil ServiceStrategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25). This strategy is the blueprint for transforming the Civil Service into a professional, efficient, and globallycompetitive institution. To this end, we set up and inaugurated seven “war rooms,” each dedicated to overseeing one of the six pillars of the FCSSIP reforms and the enablers.These war rooms ensure that no initiative is neglected, and that progress is bothmeasurable and impactful.
Achievements and Developments
6.Understanding the need for a cultural shift within the Civil Service, I directed the publication and dissemination of the Federal Civil Service Anthem and the CultureChange Video. These initiatives are not merely symbolic; they stand for our collectiveaspiration to instill a renewed sense of purpose, integrity, and pride in the Service of ournation.
7.Collaboration has been at the heart of our efforts. Early in my tenure, I met with the Senate and House Committee on Public Service Matters and later held an interactivesession with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters. These engagements allowed me to present our reform agenda, solicit their feedback, andensure legislative support for key initiatives. Additionally, I convened a service-widemeeting with Permanent Secretaries to align on priorities, share insights, and foster unityin purpose across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
8.At the international level, I had the privilege of meeting with the United Kingdom’s Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Rt. Hon. Simon Case. Thisengagement opened avenues for collaboration, including capacity building and theexchange of best practices that will strengthen the Federal Civil Service. This productivediscussion was complemented by my meeting with the British High Commissioner, Dr.Richard Montgomery where we discussed the expansion of cooperation in Civil Servicereforms aimed at enhancing productivity and governance in both nations.
9.I also represented Nigeria in the United Nations General Assembly in New York,where I delivered a speech on Agenda Item 22 (Eradication of Poverty) and Item 24(Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition). These opportunities have enabled us toshowcase Nigeria’s commitment to global development goals and to learn frominternational best practices.
10. In addition to this, I held a crucial Town Hall meeting with the joint unions representing civil servants. This dialogue was an opportunity to listen to their concerns,address key issues affecting the workforce, and foster a spirit of collaboration betweenmanagement and labour. The partnership we are building with the unions is vital toensuring that the needs and welfare of civil servants are prioritised as we implement reforms.
11. In pursuit of internal alignment, I convened retreats with the top managementstaff of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and held a broaderretreat with Permanent Secretaries across the service. These retreats were instrumental in fostering collaboration, clarifying priorities, and ensuring that our strategies are aligned with the President’s vision for governance.2|Page
12. Recognising the need for unity and shared learning, I spearheaded an initiative to collaborate with State Heads of Service going forward. This collaboration aims to foster a harmonised approach to improving service delivery at both Federal and State levels.
13. Recognising the importance of partnerships, I have received courtesy visits andengaged with various key stakeholders, including the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, theWorld Bank, the Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme,African Development Bank and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation. These interactions have strengthened collaboration and enhanced our capacity to deliverimpactful reforms.
14. We also launched the Performance Management System Day in Ministries,Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reinforce accountability and encourage a resultsoriented culture. This initiative ensures that every Civil Servant is motivated to performoptimally and that their contributions are recognised and rewarded.15. As part of our efforts to modernise the Civil Service, we launched the NigeriaFederal Civil Service Online Academy an e-learning platform designed to empower Civil Servants with the knowledge and skills needed for their roles. Alongside this, theService Wise GPT—a digital repository of information about the Civil Service—hasbeen developed to serve as a vital resource for both seasoned officers and new entrants.
16. It is important to acknowledge that the Nigeria Federal Civil Service OnlineAcademy was approved by my predecessor, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR. Itsimplementation underlines our continuity in leadership and dedication to empoweringCivil Servants with the knowledge and skills they need.
17. To enhance communication and efficiency, we have launched GovMail, an official email platform for all Civil Servants. This initiative will streamline workflowsand improve the overall effectiveness of our operations. We have also launched the Online Compendium of Circulars, a Service-wide circular portal designed to make Circulars easily accessible to every Civil Servant. These developments are in line withthe commitments made on my assumption of office to ensure that technology drives therepositioning of the Civil Service for greater service delivery.
18. The adoption of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system is anothertransformative step. Several MDAs, including the Budget Office of the Federation, theFederal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy and the State House, have alreadygone live on the ECM, with training ongoing to ensure seamless integration across theservice.
19. I also inaugurated a committee to develop a Style Manual for the Federal Civil Service, ensuring uniformity and professionalism in documentation andcommunication.
20. Furthermore, we institutionalised quarterly meetings with Civil Servants servicewide and held the first meeting titled “Public Service Live with the Head of the CivilService of the Federation” on the 20th of November 2024. These interactions provide aplatform for dialogue, feedback, and an opportunity to address their concerns directly.
Initiatives In Progress
21. Several policies and guidelines have also been presented for stakeholder validation, including the Rewards and Recognition Policy and Guidelines, the Incentiveand Consequence Management Policy and Guidelines, the Mentoring Framework, and the Protocol on the Use of Federal Government Secretariats. As part of the Rewards andRecognition Policy, we celebrated newly promoted directors on 22 November 2024.
22. A comprehensive on-boarding package for new employees is also beingdeveloped, which will include induction programmes, welcome packs, and guided tours.These efforts are designed to create a positive first impression and instill a sense ofbelonging in every new civil servant. Additionally, a book documenting the history ofthe Federal Civil Service is being commissioned to preserve its rich legacy and inspirefuture generations.
23. To further support Civil Servants, we are collaborating with the NigerianConsumer Credit Corporation to establish a consumer credit system, which will improveaccess to affordable credit and enhance their welfare.
24. Finally, we are fostering creativity and innovation within the Civil Service through ongoing competitions, including an innovation contest and a Federal CivilService logo design competition. These initiatives are designed to encourage civilservants to think outside the box and contribute solutions to the challenges we face.
Conclusion
25. As I reflect on these achievements, I am mindful that our journey has only just begun. The work of transforming the Federal Civil Service is a continuous process, one that requires dedication, collaboration, and resilience. I am deeply committed toensuring that the Civil Service I leave behind is better than the one I met, just as mypredecessor did before me.
26. To every civil servant, every stakeholder, and every Nigerian, I urge you to joinus on this journey. Together, we can build a Civil Service that is innovative, efficient,and truly responsive to the needs of the people it serves.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
*Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni Head of the Civil Service of the Federation 25th November 2024