The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has said that the ongoing reforms of the civil service instituted by her are yielding positive results.
She spoke in Abuja on Monday at a press briefing to mark her first 100 days in office, saying she remains committed to ensuring that the civil service becomes more efficient and effective in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Walson-Jack emphasized that the policies she has introduced are aimed at ensuring that every civil servant has the requisite skill, knowledge and competence to carry out their duties while also upholding the core principles of integrity and quality service delivery.
She said: “Since assuming office on August 14 this year, my commitment has been clear: to fast-track and sustain the reforms outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025). This strategy is the blueprint for transforming the civil service into a professional, efficient, and globally competitive institution.
“To this end, we set up and inaugurated seven war rooms, each dedicated to overseeing one of the six pillars of the reforms and their enablers. These war rooms ensure that no initiative is neglected and that progress is both measurable and impactful.
“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 Culture Change Video. These initiatives are not merely symbolic; they represent our collective aspiration to instill a renewed sense of purpose, integrity, and pride in the service of our nation.”
Continuing she said: “In pursuit of internal alignment, I convened retreats for the top management staff of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and held a broader retreat with permanent secretaries across the service. These retreats were instrumental in fostering collaboration, clarifying priorities, and ensuring that our strategies align with the President’s vision for governance.
“In addition to these, I held a crucial town hall meeting with the staff of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. This gathering was an opportunity to listen to their concerns, address key issues affecting the workforce, and foster a spirit of collaboration between management and labour.”
Highlighting her various engagements with development partners and other relevant stakeholders within the period, she pointed out that the interactions have enhanced the capacity to deliver impactful reforms.
Speaking on tracking and measuring the performance of civil servants, Walson-Jack stated that “we also launched the Performance Management System (PMS) and introduced the PMS Day in departments and agencies. On this day, staff are expected to carry out PMS assessments for staff evaluation and other activities around the performance management system. These assessments are vital for promotion measurements and for achieving our strategic goals.”
While appreciating President Tinubu for appointing her, she also commended him for approving the new minimum wage and the consequential salary adjustments for civil servants.
“By the time I assumed office on August 14, 2024, the new minimum wage had already been approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It became imperative to work on the consequential adjustments of salaries arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“I must thank the Chairperson and Executive of the National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council for the cooperation and understanding that enabled us to conclude the negotiations in record time.
“My profound gratitude also goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the new minimum wage and the consequential salary adjustments, and for ensuring prompt payment, thus demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of civil servants,” she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Permanent Secretary Common Services Office, Mr. Raymond Omachi, said the milestones achieved by the HCSF within 100 days, speaks to her unwavering commitment and clear-headed leadership.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Civil Service Newspaper, published by First Media Network and the reintroduction of the Service Welfare Newsletter, as well as a special documentary tagged “Marching to Greatness”.