FG launches nationwide audit to reform civil service

By Kunle Sanni –

The federal government has inaugurated two high-level committees to conduct a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigerian Civil Service through a nationwide personnel audit and skills gap assessment.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Esther Walson-Jack, inaugurated the Steering Committee and the Project Implementation Committee on Wednesday, describing the exercise as a critical component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Walson-Jack explained that the audit aims to determine the true size, structure, and skills composition of the civil service, while identifying competencies needed for future governance.

“The machinery of governance can only function effectively when powered by the right calibre of human capital, strategically deployed and continuously developed,” she said.

The Steering Committee is expected to deliver its findings within six months, while the Project Implementation Committee has a four-month deadline. The audit will produce a verified, digital personnel database linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to eliminate ghost workers and correct record inconsistencies.

The initiative will also assess skill gaps in areas such as ICT, public finance, project management, and data analysis. It is designed to strengthen training programmes, enhance human resource management through full digitalization using the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), and reduce costs by eliminating redundancies and financial leakages.

Walson-Jack urged both committees to start work immediately, emphasizing that their success would lay the foundation for an efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-focused Civil Service.