Sanwo-Olu urges civil servants to embrace professionalism, innovation

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on civil servants to uphold professionalism, integrity, accountability, responsiveness, and a commitment to continuous improvement in the discharge of their duties. He described professionalism in the civil service as the foundation of efficient governance.

The governor made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the Year 2025 Strategic Meeting of Heads of Service of the Six South-West States, organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and held in Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu emphasized that today’s civil service must be driven by innovation, technology, data, and a results-oriented mindset. “Professionalism in the civil service is the bedrock of efficient governance. It speaks to competence, integrity, accountability, responsiveness, and a culture of continuous improvement. It is no longer enough to do things the old way,” he said.

He praised the theme of the meeting—“Deepening Professionalism in the Civil Service Towards Improved Service Delivery”—as apt and timely. According to him, Lagos State continues to prioritize public service transformation through its THEMES+ Agenda.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, regular training and capacity building, improved welfare, and the institutionalization of merit-based appointments and promotions as part of efforts to build a responsive and people-centred public service.

He called for stronger collaboration among South-West states to tackle common regional challenges, noting that Lagos cannot achieve regional development in isolation. “As states with a shared history, culture, and vision for regional integration and sustainable development, we must collaborate, share best practices, and jointly tackle the challenges that confront us,” he said.

The governor stressed that the civil service is a critical vehicle for achieving the goals of the DAWN Commission and actualizing the aspirations of the South-West people. He said collective action is required to advance the region’s development agenda.

Sanwo-Olu commended the Heads of Service and the leadership of the DAWN Commission for organizing the meeting. He urged them to use the platform to design practical, actionable solutions that will enhance service delivery across the region. He also encouraged the adoption of policies that attract top talent, promote ethical governance, and leverage technology to transform public administration.