In a bold step towards enhancing the capacity of its civil service, the Lagos State Government has launched the Public Service Accelerator Programme (PSAP), a flagship initiative aimed at grooming mid-level officers into transformative leaders capable of driving innovation and delivering responsive governance.
The programme was officially unveiled at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) in Magodo, where key government officials gathered to emphasize the importance of equipping public servants with the right tools to meet 21st-century challenges.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, represented by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, described the initiative as a strategic move to reposition the state’s workforce for improved service delivery. He said the evolving nature of governance demands a new kind of public servant one who is proactive, innovative, and equipped to make impactful decisions.
“Civil servants are no longer behind-the-scenes players. They are at the forefront of governance and policy implementation. This programme is designed to help them lead with creativity, agility, and purpose,” Hamzat stated.
The Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, explained that the PSAP is structured to provide a dynamic learning experience, combining digital modules, in-person sessions, mentorship, and project-based assignments. He noted that the programme is targeted at officers on Grade Levels 12 to 14, who are expected to become strategic thinkers and change agents within their ministries, departments, and agencies.
Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, hailed the programme as a landmark intervention in the ongoing reform of the Lagos State Public Service. He urged the first cohort of participants to embrace the opportunity with dedication and see themselves as torchbearers for a modernized civil service.
“The public service must be agile and forward-thinking to meet the expectations of citizens. This initiative is about building leaders who can champion transformation at all levels,” Agoro said.
The Public Service Accelerator Programme aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda, which emphasizes governance and structural reforms aimed at positioning Lagos as a model of good governance and service excellence. The government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining training and re-skilling efforts that would make Lagos public institutions more responsive, accountable, and innovative.
