August 29, 2025 — The Federal Government has inaugurated two high-level committees to carry out a service-wide personnel audit and skills gap analysis of the Nigerian Civil Service, in a move aimed at repositioning the workforce for greater efficiency and accountability.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, inaugurated the Steering Committee and Project Implementation Committee on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Abuja. She said the exercise, approved under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to determine the true size, structure, and skills composition of the Service, while identifying competencies required for future governance needs.
According to her, the audit will produce a verified digital personnel database linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to eliminate ghost workers and inconsistencies in records. It will also provide a clear workforce profile, highlight skills gaps in critical areas such as ICT, project management, and public finance, and strengthen human capital development through targeted training programmes.
Mrs. Walson-Jack emphasized that the reform is “developmental rather than punitive,” stressing that the success of governance depends on the right calibre of human resources. She explained that the initiative would also enhance Human Resource Management systems through digital tools like the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), reduce redundancies, plug financial leakages, and enable strategic redeployment of resources.
The Steering Committee, chaired by Mrs. Walson-Jack, includes senior officials from the OHCSF, key Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office Director-General, representatives from the Presidency, and technical consultants. It is expected to provide policy direction and ensure alignment with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP-25).
The Project Implementation Committee, led by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, OHCSF, comprises senior directors, officials from the Office of the Accountant-General, the Civil Service Commission, and retired senior officers with technical expertise. It will handle operational tasks such as data collection, methodology validation, compliance checks, and reporting.
The Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr. Deborah Odoh, described the exercise as a milestone in building a professional and accountable workforce, while Dr. Danjuma Usman Kalba, speaking for both committees, praised President Tinubu for approving what he called “a bold, strategic reform.”
Mrs. Walson-Jack charged members of the committees to carry out their duties diligently, stating that the initiative would lay the foundation for an efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-focused Civil Service.
The Steering Committee is expected to complete its work within six months, while the Implementation Committee will deliver its outputs within four months.
