Most Nigerian civil servants lack 21st century workforce skills – Walson-Jack

Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), says most Nigerian civil servants lack the requisite 21st-century skills required for effective service delivery.

Walson-Jack made the remark on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day study tour for Heads of Service from the 36 states, held as part of activities marking the 2025 Civil Service Week.

She, therefore, used the opportunity to advise states embarking on personnel audits to also assess the skill gaps in their workforce.

“The truth is, most of our civil servants, even at the federal level, do not have the right skills for a 21st-century workforce.

“We recruited many officers years ago, but with today’s technologically-driven world, recruitment must be guided by relevant modern skills, ” she said.

She said the Federal Government was preparing to conduct a personnel audit and skills gap analysis to guide future recruitment decisions.

According to her, a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) identified 39 essential skills that needed to be infused into Nigeria’s civil service.

Walson-Jack emphasised the need for urgent reforms to address the deficiencies, adding that the journey toward a fully modernised civil service required commitment at all levels.

“While we celebrate the progress made, we must remain mindful of the work that lies ahead. Today’s gathering is not just a moment of reflection, but a renewed call to action.”

She recalled a recent study tour to Singapore, describing it as ‘inspiring’ and vital in shaping the ongoing Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025).

The HCSF said the objectives of the current tour were to strengthen strategic planning, service delivery, and human capital development through the adoption of digital tools and data-driven systems.

“We must strengthen collaboration between federal and state civil services under the vision of ‘One Service, Many Jurisdictions’,” she added.

In her remarks, Mrs Biabelemaye Onyema, Head of Service of Bayelsa State, said the tour was a peer-review opportunity among states.

“We are learning from one another, whatever we observe that is working well can be adapted and replicated in our respective states,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Falalu Bawale, Head of Service of Katsina State, commended Walson-Jack for the initiative, saying that such engagements would enhance civil service reform at both state and federal levels.

“This is part of an ongoing effort to address issues affecting the civil service nationwide,” Bawale said.