Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The 45th Annual National Council of Civil Service Commissions of the Federation has resolved to accelerate institutional re-engineering, digital transformation and culture change across Federal and State Civil Service Commissions as part of renewed efforts to build a future-ready, efficient and accountable public service in Nigeria.
The resolution was reached at the conclusion of the Council’s meeting, held from 1st to 6th November 2026 at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State, under the theme, “Towards a Future-Ready Civil Service: The Role of Institutional Re-engineering, Reputation Management and Culture Change at the Civil Service Commissions in Nigeria.” This was contained in a statement signed by Ibraheem Zakariyya, anipr, Head, Press and Public Relations, For the Commission.
The meeting brought together 204 participants from 25 states and the Federal Civil Service Commission, alongside other critical stakeholders.
In addressing prevailing institutional challenges, the Council identified the need to strengthen merit-based recruitment, improve transparency in appointments and promotions, operationalise the Performance Management System (PMS), address career stagnation and modernise personnel administration. It also underscored the importance of improved collaboration between Civil Service Commissions and Offices of Heads of Service to ensure greater coherence in human resource management.
To strengthen professionalism and fairness in the service, the Council resolved that the Federal Civil Service Commission, in consultation with the Federal Character Commission and State Civil Service Commissions, should develop practical guidelines for balancing merit and national spread in recruitment and appointment processes. It also called for effective implementation of the Performance Management System as a credible input into promotion exercises, alongside a properly safeguarded framework for accelerated promotion of exceptionally performing officers.
On institutional modernisation, the Council urged Civil Service Commissions to prioritise the digitalisation of personnel records and administrative processes, review existing schemes of service and create relevant cadres in response to emerging professional demands, generational changes and the implications of Artificial Intelligence. It further emphasised the need for deliberate culture change and adaptive institutional practices to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Recognising reputation management as a strategic asset for public sector transformation, the Council called for stronger transparency and accountability mechanisms to address fraud, scams and other practices capable of undermining public confidence. Measures recommended include periodic publication of institutional reports, prompt public disclaimers, functional websites and appropriate disciplinary actions.
It also advocated regular communication between Federal and State Commissions, peer learning and the immediate implementation of Joint Service Commission sessions to prevent industrial disharmony.
The communiqué, embodying the Council’s resolutions and collective commitments, was presented by the Chairman of the Communiqué Committee, Prof. Paul Samani Ywai, at the conclusion of the meeting.
The Council commended the Federal Civil Service Commission Chairman, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, the Delta State Government and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful hosting of the meeting, reaffirming its collective commitment to building a professional, responsive, transparent and future-ready civil service.
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