Olaopa Pushes Merit-Based Civil Service Reforms at Global Conference

"The reforms are designed to reposition the Commission as a modern, technology-driven and professionally competent institution." Tunji Olaopa

.....Says, "merit and professionalism must remain the foundation for recruitment, promotion and career progression in the public service."

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, has called for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s civil service to strengthen meritocracy, professionalism, institutional efficiency and workforce productivity in line with evolving global realities.

Olaopa made the call at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 held at Eagle Square during a high-level panel session attended by chairmen of civil service commissions from across the country, including representatives from the Federal Capital Territory and Kano State, as well as delegates from 16 countries.

Speaking on the mandate and evolution of the Commission, the FCSC chairman explained that the body, originally established in 1954 as the Public Service Commission before becoming the Civil Service Commission in 1979, derives its constitutional powers to appoint, promote and discipline civil servants while protecting merit and public service ethics.

He noted that the Commission once played a major role in building Nigeria’s highly regarded civil service culture but lamented that years of politicisation, inadequate funding, mass retirements, weak institutional structures and inconsistent policies had eroded standards and weakened administrative efficiency.

According to him, the current leadership undertook a comprehensive institutional assessment after assuming office, leading to the development of a strategic reform plan approved by the Federal Executive Council.

Olaopa said the reforms are designed to reposition the Commission as a modern, technology-driven and professionally competent institution.

Highlighting achievements already recorded, he said the Commission had migrated from manual recruitment processes to a digital e-recruitment platform, introduced transparent computer-based promotion examinations, revived the National Council on Civil Service Commissions after more than 12 years of inactivity and restored Nigeria’s participation in regional public service institutions, including the African Association for Public Service Commissions.

The FCSC chairman stressed that merit and professionalism must remain the foundation for recruitment, promotion and career progression in the public service.

He maintained that competence, qualification, integrity and performance should continue to guide human resource management in the public sector without undermining the Federal Character principle.

Olaopa, however, identified weak institutional capacity, poor digital infrastructure, shortage of specialised manpower and welfare concerns as major obstacles to sustaining reforms.

He warned that reform programmes that fail to address workers’ welfare and performance support systems could face resistance from civil servants.

The FCSC chairman assured that the Commission remains committed to building a modern civil service that is efficient, accountable, innovative and equipped to meet the future demands of governance.

The statement was signed by Ibraheem Zakariyya, Head of Press and Public Relations, for the Commission.