Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, has called on Directors, Service Improvement Officers, Service Charter Officers, Departmental Focal Officers, and other stakeholders to embrace ongoing Federal Civil Service reforms as a strategic pathway to building a more efficient, transparent, accountable, and citizen-centred Public Service. He made the call during the opening ceremony of the sensitisation programme on Thursday 30th July, 2026 at the Ministry’s headquarters Ship house, Abuja. This was contained in a statement signed by Enderline Chukwu, Deputy Director (Information and Public Relations), For: Director, Information and Public Relations.
In his address, at the event, Mr Pheelangwah informed that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the reform initiatives of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which is aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service into a professional, innovative, and results-driven institution.
He identified three critical reform initiatives being promoted through the programme which are: the Federal Civil Service Mentoring Programme, the Enhanced Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Self-Service Platform, and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2025–2030.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the Mentoring Programme would facilitate the transfer of institutional knowledge from experienced officers to the younger ones thereby preserving institutional memory and preparing a new generation of competent public service leaders.
He said that the Enhanced IPPIS Self-Service Platform represents a significant digital transformation, enabling officers to securely manage and update their personnel and payroll records while reducing administrative bottlenecks and improving operational efficiency.
According to him, the FCSSIP 2025–2030 provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening institutional capacity through innovation, accountability, performance management, staff development, digital governance, and evidence-based decision-making, all aimed at improving service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
In emphasising the relevance of these reforms to the Ministry Mr. Pheelangwah stated that the Ministry, as the administrative backbone of Nigeria’s defence architecture, must continuously strengthen its internal processes to support effective policy implementation, sound personnel management, institutional governance, and enhanced national security.
Speaking further, Pheelangwah charged Service Improvement Officers, Service Charter Officers, and Departmental Focal Officers to serve as champions of the reform agenda by cascading the knowledge acquired during the programme, promoting the mentoring initiative, encouraging the effective use of the IPPIS Self-Service Platform, ensuring compliance with Service Charter standards, and implementing practical service improvement initiatives within their respective departments, adding
that sustainable service improvement requires not only policy reforms but also a positive change in organisational culture through professionalism, integrity, prompt service delivery, reduced bureaucracy, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.
He commended the Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement for organising the sensitization programme and encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and apply the knowledge gained to improve operational efficiency and service delivery across the Ministry.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director Reform Coordination and Service Improvement in the Ministry, Mrs Ogidi-Paul I.H, FDC, said that the sensitisation programme is aimed at enhancing our understanding of relaunched IPPIS self-service platform and also to equip participants with the knowledge and practical information required to effectively utilize these services and maximise the benefits they offer.
She appreciated the Permanent Secretary for providing the opportunity to organise this important programme.
The highlight of the programme was the presentations on: The overview of the Federal Civil Service Mentoring Programme, Relaunch of the Enhanced Self-Service IPPIS Platform,
Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, (FCSSIP. 2026-2030).
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