By Joel Ajayi
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has called on State Heads of Service to prioritise the development of 21st-century skills among Nigeria’s workforce.
She made this call on Monday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of a study tour involving Heads of Service from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Walson-Jack, the continued support and commitment of state Heads of Service have been instrumental in advancing the ongoing civil service reform agenda.
Highlighting the significance of the civil service in national development, she said the tour would have an enriching, energising, and long-lasting impact on service delivery and the lives of Nigerians.
“Many of you will recall our transformative study tour to Singapore earlier this year. That experience was nothing short of inspiring. It showed what is possible when a disciplined, digitally driven, and citizen-focused civil service is placed at the centre of national development,” she said.
She described the Abuja study tour to key ministries and institutions as a continuation of that journey—anchored on learning, collaboration, and innovation—adding that it would not be the last.
Explaining the objectives of the exercise, Walson-Jack said it was aimed at fostering strategic learning, service delivery, and human capital management among participants.
“Our focus is to deepen our understanding of strategic planning, service delivery, and human capital management. We must embrace digital tools and data-driven systems to reshape public administration and enhance its impact,” she stated.
She noted that the tour aligns with the final phase of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025), which is themed “Final Sprint: Delivering Results.”
Walson-Jack emphasised that Nigerians are eager to witness real progress in service delivery, efficiency, and digital transformation, expressing confidence in the capacity of civil servants to rise to the challenge.
She reaffirmed her office’s readiness to support state civil services in areas such as policy direction, training, innovation, and technical collaboration.
“If you require policy direction, training, innovation support, or technical collaboration from the centre, know that my office stands ready. This is a shared mission—we succeed together or not at all,” she declared.
The Head of Service also commended the governors and state Heads of Service for their commitment to improving the welfare and professionalism of civil servants across Nigeria.
