Gambian officials study Nigeria’s public service reforms

"Nigeria’s reform strategy was anchored on broad areas, including economic and policy reforms, civil service and administrative reforms, financial and monetary reforms, as well as governance and institutional reforms." Olaopa 

.... Says "the visit was aimed at enabling the delegation to learn from Nigeria’s experience in public service reforms and identify practices that could be adapted to strengthen the Gambian public service."

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has stressed the need for clear institutional mandates, defined responsibilities and effective coordination among government agencies to achieve sustainable public service reforms.

Olaopa spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation of senior Gambian officials led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President of The Gambia, Mr Momodou K. Donna, on a study visit to the commission.

The visit was aimed at enabling the delegation to learn from Nigeria’s experience in public service reforms and identify practices that could be adapted to strengthen the Gambian public service.

Olaopa said Nigeria’s reform strategy was anchored on broad areas, including economic and policy reforms, civil service and administrative reforms, financial and monetary reforms, as well as governance and institutional reforms.

He explained that the approach recognised the interconnectedness of the various components of the public sector, stressing that reforms should be coordinated rather than implemented in isolation.

The FCSC chairman said the existence of a minister responsible for public service alongside the Head of the Civil Service and a reform office was not necessarily problematic, provided their mandates, authority and responsibilities were clearly defined.

He said effective institutional arrangements required a clear division of labour, strong coordination and teamwork.

According to him, the Head of the Civil Service should have full authority over matters concerning the core civil service, while other institutions could play complementary roles within clearly defined boundaries.

Olaopa further noted that successful public service reforms went beyond creating new structures, stressing the need to align relevant laws, regulations and institutional frameworks with reform objectives.

Earlier, Mr Sheriff Jallow, who spoke on the Gambian Public Service, outlined the country’s institutional arrangements and the evolution of its personnel management system.

He said before the establishment of the Ministry of Public Service, personnel management was handled by a Personnel Management Office domiciled as a sub-budget entity under the Office of the President and headed by a Permanent Secretary.

Jallow said The Gambia was currently considering reforms to its public service structures, regulations and institutional responsibilities, making Nigeria’s experience relevant to its ongoing reform process.

The study visit is expected to provide the Gambian delegation with practical insights into institutional coordination, leadership, personnel management and administrative reforms.

The session was attended by FCSC Commissioners, Dr Ibrahim Jalo Daudu and Dr Chamberlain Nwele, as well as senior officials of the commission.