Head of Service To Transform the Civil Service Into A professional, Efficient, and Global Competitive Institution.

 

"Since assuming office on 14 August 2024, my commitment has been clear: to fast-track, accelerate and sustain the reforms outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25). 

Mrs Esther Didi WaIson-Jack, the Head of service of the Federation has stated that her 1st 100 days in office iis a significant milestone, which offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements recorded.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation added that, "it is also to perform a thorough audit of progress, and identify the goals ahead.

According her, "It is also a time to pause and acknowledge the challenges we face, as well as reaffirm our shared resolve to overcome them.

She made this disclosure during a press conference to mark her 100 days in office.

The HCSF noted that, "Since assuming office on 14 August 2024, my commitment has been clear: to fast-track, accelerate and sustain the reforms outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25). 

"These War Rooms ensure that no initiative is neglected, and that progress is both measurable and impactful.

"This strategy is the blueprint for transforming the Civil Service into a professional, efficient, and global competitive institution. To this end, we set up and inaugurated seven “War Rooms,” each dedicated to overseeing one of the six pillars of the FCSSIP reforms and the enablers.

Enumerating some of the Achievements recorded since her assumption of office, she said, "Understanding the need for a cultural shift within the Civil Service, I directed the publication and dissemination of the Federal Civil Service Anthem and the Culture Change Video. These initiatives are not merely symbolic; they stand for our collective aspiration to instill a renewed sense of purpose, integrity, and pride in the Service of our nation.

"The adoption of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system is another transformative step. Several MDAs, including the Budget Office of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy and the State House, have already gone live on the ECM, with training ongoing to ensure seamless integration across the service.

"I also inaugurated a committee to develop a Style Manual for the Federal Civil Service, ensuring uniformity and professionalism in documentation and communication.

"Furthermore, we institutionalised quarterly meetings with Civil Servants service wise and held the first meeting titled “Public Service Live with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation” on the 20th of November 2024. These interactions provide platform for dialogue, feedback, and an opportunity to address their concerns directly.

Initiatives In Progress

Several policies and guidelines have also been presented for stakeholder validation, including the Rewards and Recognition Policy and Guidelines, the Incentive and Consequence Management Policy and Guidelines, the Mentoring Framework, and the Protocol on the Use of Federal Government Secretariats. As part of the Rewards and Recognition Policy, we celebrated newly promoted directors on 22 November 2024.

A comprehensive on-boarding package for new employees is also being developed, which will include induction programmes, welcome packs, and guided tours.These efforts are designed to create a positive first impression and instill a sense of belonging in every new civil servant. Additionally, a book documenting the history of the Federal Civil Service is being commissioned to preserve its rich legacy and inspire future generations.

To further support Civil Servants, we are collaborating with the Nigerians Consumer Credit Corporation to establish a consumer credit system, which will improve access to affordable credit and enhance their welfare.

Finally, we are fostering creativity and innovation within the Civil Service through ongoing competitions, including an innovation contest and a Federal Civil Service logo design competition. These initiatives are designed to encourage civil servants to think outside the box and contribute solutions to the challenges we face.

While fielding questions from the media, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, disclosed that a continuous process has been put in place to fish out Civil Servants still collecting salaries even as they have relocated abroad.

HCSF disclosed that the Japa civil servants before her tenure had either quickly resigned from the service or returned back to their work in Nigeria.

She assured that investigating was still ongoing to fish out those who had japaed and refused to resign, while still collecting salaries in Nigeria.

On the issues of corruption in the civil service, she assured that her tenure had zero tolerance for corruption in civil service.