The Federal Government has kicked off a robust induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, charging them to embrace excellence, innovation, and ethical leadership as they assume their strategic positions at the top of Nigeria’s federal bureaucracy. The three-day event, which commenced in Abuja, is designed to equip the 19 newly appointed top officials drawn from appointments made between May 2024 and February 2025 with the tools and mindset required to drive transformative governance and deliver on the expectations of Nigerians.
Addressing the inductees, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, underscored the enormity of their new roles, describing them as the “engine room of policy implementation, service delivery, and administrative stewardship.” She urged the new appointees to make the effective implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025) their top priority, especially as the government enters the final lap of the FCSSIP 25 blueprint. According to her, the nation is looking up to them for tangible and transformative results, and their conduct must reflect the highest standards of integrity, diligence, and excellence.
Walson-Jack further encouraged the officials to take full advantage of the well-structured programme, which features lectures and presentations by seasoned resource persons. She stressed that the knowledge gained should be put into practice to reposition Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for enhanced service delivery. The Head of Service also highlighted the importance of teamwork, urging the Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General to foster open communication, mutual respect, and collaboration within their teams, as these are crucial for collective success.
In her remarks, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood, Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office, reminded her colleagues that while the challenges ahead are real, so too are the opportunities to make a lasting impact through visionary and purposeful leadership. She described the induction as more than just an orientation, but a strategic investment in building institutional capacity and ensuring policy coherence across government, in line with the year’s theme: “Building Leadership and Strategic Management for Federal Permanent Secretaries”.
The Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the civil service is further reflected in the rigorous selection and appointment process for these key positions. The process, approved by President Bola Tinubu, is structured to ensure only competent and credible individuals are chosen, with candidates undergoing written examinations, verification screenings, and anti-corruption clearances overseen by agencies like the ICPC and DSS.
As the new Permanent Secretaries and Accountant-General settle into their roles, the government’s message is clear: the expectations are high, but so is the confidence in their ability to deliver the results that will move Nigeria forward.
