• Civil Servants Recount Experience In Industry Placements
In a bold step towards building an efficient civil service, the Lagos State government is implementing an ambitious initiative that is redefining the architecture of public sector learning and reform.
Through its Public-Private Sector Exchange Programme (PPSEP) I-nitiative, the state government is bridging the operational divide between the public and private sectors, by exposing civil servants to corporate organisations in key industries.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Establishments and Training, in partnership with Kinder Consulting, the programme is underpinned by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritises institutional development.
Over a three-month period, selected officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were posted to leading private organisations to immerse themselves in the beat practices in the private sector with the ultimate goal of reinvigorating public administration in the state.
Private enterprises enrolled in this programme include MTN Nigeria, Evercare Hospital, WimBiz, SystemSpecs, FairMoney, BusinessDay, Reddington Hospital, Crusader Life Assurance and CharterHouse Lagos, among others. Each organisation offered tailored experiences that exposed delegates to global best practices in sectors as diverse as health, fintech, media, education, telecommunications and insurance.
At Evercare Hospital, a flagship private healthcare institution, civil servants gained first-hand insight into international standards of clinical operations, energy efficiency, and safety systems.
Adebimpe Afolabi, from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, commended the hospital’s approach to operational excellence: “The exposure to sustainable energy systems and stringent safety protocols was a revelation. These are replicable models for our public infrastructure projects.”
For Mrs. Abiola Adenike Shidi of the Ministry of Information, the programme unlocked new capacities in digital media production, as she was trained to create and subtitle professional video content.
In a striking turn, she also earned CPR certification to become a CPR administrator.
Pharmacist Simisola Opaneye of the Ministry of Health, noted the unique leadership philosophy she observed that at Evercare policy implementation was built on influence, not force. “It was a model of shared values and team ownership. That left a lasting impression on me.”
At WimBiz (Women in Business), the civil servants were immersed in a culture of empowerment, agility and hybrid work systems. Mrs. Folashade Olomofe of the Civil Service Commission, observed: “It was my first time working in a fully digital office. From virtual meetings to automated processes, everything was tech-driven. I now see the possibilities for our service.”
On his part, Mr. Ayodele Augustine Oyatoye, another delegate to WimBiz, described his experience as “inspiring,” praising the organisation’s seamless operations and passionate pursuit of gender equity in business.
For those deployed to other corporate spaces, the lessons were no less impactful. At Crusader Life Assurance, Mrs. Shade Ogunfowora credited her posting with reshaping her approach to time management, people development and strategic planning.
Reflecting on the programme’s significance, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, said: “Our civil service must evolve. This programme gives our officers the opportunity to step out of the traditional mould and experience the speed, accountability, and innovation that define the private sector institutions. This is how we build a smarter government.”
Also commenting, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, described the initiative as “a structured intervention for sustainable transformation.”
She emphasised the importance of scaling the programme to reach more officers and integrate the lessons into the broader civil service culture.
For Mrs. Patricia Akinlotan, the Principal Consultant at Kindar Consulting, the firm overseeing the design and deployment of the programme, offered a broader context, “We are not just creating exposure — we are building capacity. Every officer that passes through this programme returns with a toolkit that can change how government works. We must continue to institutionalise this as part of civil service development.”
She commended the participating organisations for opening their doors to public officers and providing meaningful engagement through mentorship, live projects and peer learning.
From all accounts, the Public-Private Sector Exchange Programme is achieving what it set out to do — igniting a mindset shift among civil servants and promoting a sense of responsibility, innovation and leadership.
“The feedback from participants has been unanimous: the initiative should be sustained and deepened. It is also a clear signal that the public service must be proactive, not reactive, and that meaningful reform starts with the people who drive the wheels of governance.”
For Lagos State, that transformation may just be the spark it needs to deliver faster, better, and smarter governance in the years to come.
