NIGERIA: FG Approves Three Key Policies to Reform Civil Service

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria | 

The Federal Government has approved three major policy frameworks aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service, improving productivity, and enhancing service delivery to Nigerians.

The policies, Rewards and Recognition Policy, Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, and Civil Service Mentoring Policy, were approved during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

According to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, in a statement shared on Sunday, the policies are designed to motivate civil servants, promote excellence, and foster accountability while ensuring sustained efficiency across government agencies.

Walson-Jack said: “These policies are pivotal to Staff Welfare and Enhanced Value Proposition of Civil Servants, one of the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25), and are in line with the 2021 Public Service Rules.”

She commended President Tinubu for his “ commitment to transforming the Civil Service” and building a workplace culture that is Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible, and Citizen-Centric (EPIC).

The statement also noted that the Rewards and Recognition Policy, establishes a comprehensive framework for boosting productivity through talent attraction, development, and retention. It is intended to promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the service.

The Incentive and Consequence Management Policy was further explained as a policy that introduces a transparent and equitable system that rewards high-performing officers while addressing underperformance through structured consequences. The goal, according to the Head of Service, is to foster fairness and accountability while offering support to officers in need of development.

On the other hand, the Civil Service Mentoring Policy focuses on grooming the next generation of civil service leaders by facilitating mentorship, knowledge transfer, and leadership development. It seeks to preserve institutional memory, bridge experience gaps, and ensure continuity despite impending retirements within the service.

Walson-Jack described the approval as a “definitive demonstration of government’s commitment to valuing public servants, rewarding excellence, and cultivating future leaders.”

“The approval for the implementation of these policies by Mr President is not merely an administrative milestone; it is the bedrock upon which a modern, agile, and empowered Civil Service will be built,” she said.

She assured public servants that their dedication and contributions will be recognized, emphasizing her office’s commitment to building a world-class civil service capable of driving national development and meeting citizens’ expectations.

The Head of Service reaffirmed that the reforms are central to achieving the goals of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), which seeks to reposition Nigeria’s civil service as a model of efficiency, innovation, and accountability.