Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
A transformative three-day strategic retreat was kicked off by the Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja to standardize the methodology for the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) across the Federal Civil Service.
The initiative, a cornerstone of ongoing reforms, aims to enhance efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery within the civil service.
While inaugurating the retreat, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack called it a pivotal move toward modernizing the workforce.
Her words: “This exercise is a critical step in repositioning the Federal Civil Service to meet the demands of a dynamic Nigeria,”. She also emphasizes its role in fostering a more agile and competent workforce.
She further noted: “As Chairperson of the Steering Committee, I am particularly pleased to
witness the presence of our Committees working hand in hand with our Lead
Consultant, Phillips Consulting Limited, and our fifteen Cluster Consultants who will go into the field very soon, implementing this project. Your collective commitment reflects the seriousness with which we are approaching this
exercise and reaffirm our determination to reposition the Federal Civil Service
in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“The Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis is a national assignment and
a foundational reform initiative under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and
Implementation Plan 2021- 2025 (FCSSIP25). This project will give us what we have long needed: a credible and verifiable personnel database that
captures not just numbers but also skills, competencies, and workforce distribution
across the Service, amongst others,” she also added.
She said: “The purpose is clear. We must establish a workforce profile that can be trusted for evidence-based planning, targeted training, efficient deployment, and transparent succession management. Without such data, reforms risk being anchored on assumptions. With it, we can direct capacity-building
where it is most needed, redeploy resources strategically, and plan for the next generation of civil servants.
“Today’s retreat provides us with a unique opportunity to scrutinise, interrogate, and refine the methodology that will guide this assignment. The framework we adopt must be practical, comprehensive, and contextsensitive, taking into account the size, diversity, and peculiarities of each MDA in particular, and the Federal Civil Service in general.
“The Steering and Implementation Committees will provide policy direction, oversight, and quality assurance. The Cluster Consultants must be meticulous, ensuring that data collection and fieldwork are executed
diligently. The credibility of this exercise, therefore, rests on your professionalism,
attention to detail, and fidelity to the agreed methodology.
“I commend the efforts of our Committees, Phillips Consulting Limited, and
our Cluster Consultants for the groundwork already done. But, as you know, the greater task lies ahead. Over the next three days, our deliberations must be
purposeful, pragmatic, and outcome-driven. By the close of this retreat, we
must have a unified and workable methodology that is implementable and
capable of serving as a reference point for future reforms.
“I therefore urge each participant to bring to bear their wealth of
knowledge, experience, and insights. This assignment is not merely technical;
it is strategic. It will shape recruitment, postings, promotions, training, and
succession planning for years to come. It will determine how our Civil Service attracts, nurtures, and retains talent.
“Let us also not forget that our ultimate responsibility is to the Nigerian
people. A well-structured civil service is not an end in itself but a means of
delivering efficient, accountable, and responsive governance to citizens.
“Distinguished participants, let us embrace this assignment with the
seriousness it deserves. Let our discussions over the next three days be marked by rigour, clarity, and innovation. Let us agree on a methodology that not only stands the test of implementation but also strengthens the foundation for a transformed Federal Civil Service”.
It should be recalled that the PASGA was mandated by President Bola Tinubu to bolster professionalism and streamline service delivery across federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The audit is expected to lay the groundwork for a responsive and future-ready civil service.
Walson-Jack highlighted that the PASGA aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021–2025. “This initiative will deliver a reliable personnel database, capturing not only numbers but also skills, competencies, and workforce distribution across MDAs,” she explained.
“With this data, we can drive targeted training, strategic deployments, and transparent succession planning to prepare the next generation of civil servants.”
She urged participants to develop a cohesive methodology to ensure the reforms’ success, noting that the retreat’s outcomes would guide future decisions on recruitment, promotions, training, and postings.
Chairman of Philips Consulting, the lead firm for the project, Mr. Folusho Philips underscored the scale of the challenge.
“The civil service is a massive organization that demands thorough personnel verification to ensure workers are fit for purpose,” he said.
Philips added that the PASGA would pinpoint skill gaps and strengths, enabling the government to “identify the right jobs, the right people, and address capacity gaps effectively.”
He expressed optimism that a successful rollout could serve as a model for state-level public service reforms.
Permanent Secretary in the HCSF’s Common Services Office, Dr. Danjuma Kalba emphasized the need for a unified approach among the 15 cluster consultants involved.
“Without harmonization, each firm might adopt different methods, risking inconsistent results. This retreat ensures a standardized, credible outcome,” he stated.
The retreat, themed “ _Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Reshaping Skills Today for Tomorrow’s Nigeria,”_ brings together members of the steering committee, implementation team, Philips Consulting representatives, and the 15 cluster consultants tasked with executing this national project.
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