Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has highlighted Nigeria’s experience in public service reforms, stressing the need for clear institutional mandates, defined roles and responsibilities, and effective coordination among key actors for sustainable reform outcomes. This was contained in a statement signed by Ibraheem Zakariyya, ANIPR, Head, Press and Public Relations For the Commission.
Prof. Olaopa made the submission on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation of senior Gambian officials led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President of The Gambia, Mr. Momodou K. Donna, on a study visit to the Commission to deepen their understanding of Nigeria’s public service reform experience.
The visit, which focused largely on Nigeria’s public service reform journey, was aimed at enabling the Gambian delegation to draw lessons from Nigeria’s experience and explore areas that could be adapted and replicated in strengthening the public service in The Gambia.
In his presentation, Prof. Olaopa explained that Nigeria’s reform strategy was structured around broad pillars covering economic and policy reforms, civil service and administrative reforms, financial and monetary reforms, as well as governance and institutional reforms. He noted that the approach recognised the interconnectedness of the different components of the public sector and the importance of ensuring that reforms were coordinated rather than pursued in isolation.
The FCSC Chairman emphasised that there was nothing inherently wrong with having a Minister responsible for the public service alongside a Head of the Civil Service and a reform office, provided that their mandates, authority and responsibilities were clearly defined and understood.
According to him, effective institutional arrangements depend on a clear division of labour, strong coordination and teamwork. He explained that while the Head of the Civil Service should exercise full authority over matters relating to the core civil service, other institutional actors could perform complementary roles within clearly established boundaries.
Prof. Olaopa further stressed that the success of public service reforms ultimately depends not only on creating new structures, but also on ensuring that the necessary legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks are amended and aligned with the reform objectives.
Earlier, Mr. Sheriff Jallow, who spoke on the Gambian Public Service, outlined the country’s existing institutional arrangements and the evolution of its personnel management system. He explained that prior to the establishment of a Ministry of Public Service, personnel management was handled through a Personnel Management Office located as a sub-budget entity under the Office of the President and headed by a Permanent Secretary.
Mr. Jallow noted that The Gambia was currently considering reforms to its public service structures, regulations and institutional responsibilities and therefore considered Nigeria’s experience particularly relevant in informing its ongoing reform process.
The delegation’s study visit to the FCSC formed part of a broader effort to learn from Nigeria’s public sector reform experience and identify practical approaches that could strengthen the Gambian Public Service, particularly in the areas of institutional coordination, leadership, personnel management and administrative reform.
Present during the session were Hon. Commissioner Dr. Ibrahim Jalo Daudu and Hon. Commissioner Dr. Chamberlain Nwele, alongside senior officials of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
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