Civil service key to achieving $1trn economy — FCSC Chairman

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The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Professor Tunji Olaopa, says the Nigerian civil service plays a vital role in achieving the Federal Government’s $1 trillion economy target by 2030. He spoke during the FCSC’s in-house strategy retreat held in Abuja on Monday.

Olaopa said the commission has realigned its mandates to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the retreat was designed to reposition the FCSC as a critical advisory hub for human resource management in the federal service.

He stressed the need for the FCSC to drive the re-professionalization of the civil service through competency-based recruitment and reforms that address operational inefficiencies, focusing on getting the basics of public administration right.

The chairman emphasized that the commission’s work must align with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for broader reform impact and a shared vision.

Olaopa also called for a rethink of the commission’s constitutional mandate as the gatekeeper of merit in the public service, stressing the need for a rigorous, merit-based recruitment process that eliminates nepotism, political patronage, and inefficiency.

He added that addressing poor wages is crucial to attracting and retaining competent civil servants, while also advocating for integrity checks in entry-level assessments to prevent unfit individuals from joining the system.

The FCSC boss recommended scrapping the outdated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) for a modern performance management framework linked to training and measurable outcomes, and warned against the abuse of powers delegated to ministries and agencies.

Other speakers, including Dr. Joe Abah, Mr. Chike Ogbechie, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, and Dr. Bert Odiaka, emphasized the importance of the FCSC’s role in public service transformation, enforcement of meritocracy, and aligning with global best practices.