Civil Service Reform: FG concludes five-year strategy review

The Federal Government has signaled the beginning of a new phase in the transformation of Nigeria’s public service following the conclusion of the End-Term Review of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).

Closing the high-level review session in Abuja, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, declared that the exercise had provided a crucial reality check on the state of reforms across the Federal Civil Service and laid the foundation for a more efficient, technology-driven and performance-focused public sector.

The review brought together key stakeholders to assess progress under the five-year reform programme, identify implementation gaps and chart a new course for the incoming FCSSIP 2026–2030 framework.

According to Walson-Jack, discussions centered on six critical reform pillars, including talent management, performance evaluation, digital transformation, innovation, payroll and human resource management, and staff welfare.

She said the assessment revealed notable gains in institutional capacity building, digitisation of government processes, innovation adoption and improved workforce management, describing the achievements as evidence that reform efforts are yielding measurable results.

However, the Civil Service boss warned that sustaining the momentum would require stronger institutional frameworks, rigorous monitoring mechanisms, deeper digital integration and renewed focus on employee motivation and productivity.

“The reform journey is far from over,” she stressed, urging Ministries and Extra-Ministerial Departments to take greater ownership of the transformation agenda through collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.

Walson-Jack maintained that a modern, accountable and digitally enabled Civil Service remains central to effective governance and national development, adding that the lessons from the review would directly shape priorities under the next five-year reform strategy.

She also commended development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside Permanent Secretaries, directors and members of the FCSSIP Project Team for their contributions to the review process.

The conclusion of the FCSSIP25 review is expected to provide the Federal Government with a roadmap for accelerating public sector reforms at a time when efficiency, transparency and service delivery have become increasingly critical to meeting the expectations of Nigerians.