OHCSF, AIG Move to Reposition Nigeria’s Civil Service

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) recently reiterated their joint commitment to reforming the Nigerian Civil Service in a private-public partnership.

The OHCSF, under the leadership of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, organised a two-day retreat for members of the recently constituted Project Management Teams (PMTs) for the Implementation of the 2017-2020 Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) in Calabar, Cross-River State.

The objective was to provide orientation for the PMT members in readiness for the implementation phase of the eight priority initiatives of the FCSSIP – which broadly cut across, capacity building, staff welfare, digitisation and innovation.

“Following the launch of the Strategy in February 2017, the OHCSF received a Presidential intervention that culminated in OHCSF signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) and shortly after, received approval from the Federal Executive Council in July 2017,” Oyo-Ita explained in a statement.

She added: “On December 7, 2017, theeight  PMTs were constituted and inaugurated, and together with the relevant private sector champions, are expected to facilitate and drive the day-to-day implementation of the eight priority areas of the 2017–2020 FCSSIP.”

She further highlighted some of the benefits of the project, stating that “the implementation of the Strategy is expected to deliver N60-120bn savings from cleaning HR data, N2.5bn annual savings from digitising content, at least 25,000 civil servants trained through revamped core modules and at least three annual innovation challenges held to cultivate ideas, technologies, and ventures for enhanced service delivery, efficiency and productivity in the public service.”

In her remarks, on the support of AIG, “I want to use this opportunity to thank AIG for their support as our major implementation partner and channel for engaging private sector reforms champions. I wish to especially thank Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Founder & Chairman of AIG, for his laudable role and current support towards reforming the Federal Civil/Public Service.

Addressing the PMT members, she provided guidance on expectations, stating – “the success of the implementation of the FCSSIP 2017-2020 among others, squarely depends on the commitment and diligence of the various members of the Project Management Teams. All members are therefore expected to take the project seriously towards successful implementation which will be validated by a pledge of commitment during the Retreat”.

On his part, the founder and Chairman of AIG, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended the  Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the vision to transform the way in which the public service operates and delivers public goods and services to the Nigerian people.

“The exemplary leadership and passion demonstrated for the successful transformation of the Nigerian Civil Service have sustained our belief that this Nigerian Civil Service reform effort will achieve its set objectives.

“We are proud that thus far, our expectations have been met and our commitment to the project remains unwavering. AIG is pleased to continue in its work with the OHCSF to achieve the shared goal of improving governance and transforming public sector performance in Nigeria,” he added.