FCSC Chairman reaffirms commitment to meritocracy in civil service
The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) is committed to restoring meritocracy in Nigeria’s civil service in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Tunji Olaopa, has said. He noted that this aligns with the President’s vision of running a government driven by national competence.
Professor Olaopa made this known during a weekend courtesy visit by the leadership of the Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) at his office in Abuja. The LMI delegation was led by its President, Abubakar Tijjani-Garba.
The LMI, a fellowship founded by the current Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, aims to mentor young Nigerians for leadership in the public sector. The FCSC chairman praised the initiative for its focus on nurturing youth leadership.
Olaopa said the Commission is currently undergoing reforms to reposition it for structured and systematic enforcement of merit in career management. This, he explained, includes rethinking the implementation of the federal character policy to emphasize competence and professionalism within the civil service.
He stressed the need to return to the high standards of Nigeria’s civil service in the 1960s and 1970s, adding that his long-standing interest in national competence predated his appointment as FCSC chairman. He also emphasized the importance of attracting talented young Nigerians and professionals to pursue civil service careers.
According to him, this would require the re-evaluation of civil service roles, reskilling of cadres, and implementation of a more competitive and rational wage system to position the civil service as an employer of choice. He acknowledged, however, that the civil service is not for all-comers, and that specific values and orientations are required for a successful public sector career.
Highlighting the role of youth in national development, Olaopa described them as essential to transforming Nigeria’s diversity into a source of national strength. He advocated for reforms in education, civic society, and public service to support this transformation, calling for a system that promotes unity, shared values, and national purpose.
Earlier, Tijjani-Garba praised Olaopa for his mentorship and contributions to LMI, noting the profound impact of his books on members of the initiative. He also outlined upcoming LMI activities, including a Democracy Day celebration for Gbajabiamila’s birthday, a book launch, a pre-UN Assembly event, and community engagement projects like tree planting and a novelty match.
