By Joel Gwom, Abuja
The Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC, says clear institutional mandates and effective coordination are key to achieving sustainable public service reforms.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of senior officials from The Gambia led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Mr. Momodou K. Donna.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations, FCSC, Ibraheem Zakariyya.
According to the statement, Prof. Olaopa explained that Nigeria’s reform strategy is anchored on four pillars: economic and policy reforms, civil service and administrative reforms, financial and monetary reforms, as well as governance and institutional reforms.
He noted that the approach recognizes the interconnectedness of the public sector and the need for reforms to be coordinated rather than pursued in isolation.
The FCSC Chairman emphasized that having a Minister for Public Service alongside a Head of Civil Service and a reform office is not problematic, provided their mandates and responsibilities are clearly defined.
According to him, effective institutional arrangements depend on a clear division of labour, teamwork and strong coordination.
He added that the Head of Civil Service should exercise full authority over core civil service matters, while other institutions play complementary roles within established boundaries.
Prof. Olaopa further stressed that the success of reforms depends not only on creating new structures, but also on amending legal and regulatory frameworks to align with reform objectives.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Sheriff Jallow, who spoke on behalf of the Gambian delegation, said personnel management in The Gambia was previously handled by a Personnel Management Office under the Office of the President.
He said The Gambia is currently reviewing its public service structures and regulations, and considers Nigeria’s experience relevant to its ongoing reform process.
The study visit, according to the statement, is part of efforts to identify practical approaches that could strengthen the Gambian Public Service in the areas of institutional coordination, leadership, personnel management and administrative reform.
Present at the meeting were Hon. Commissioners Dr. Ibrahim Jalo Daudu and Dr. Chamberlain Nwele, alongside senior officials of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
