Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda hinges on efficient civil service — Walson-Jack

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has said the success of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda depends on a professional, accountable, and efficient civil service.

Walson-Jack stated this Wednesday in Kano while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 47th National Council on Establishments (NCE), hosted by the Kano State Government.

HoCSF stressed that socio-economic reforms could only be sustained through a workforce equipped with the right skills, values, and motivation to drive national development.

She called for closer collaboration and harmonised standards between federal and state civil services to build a more efficient and future-ready public service.

Walson-Jack praised Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf for his worker-friendly policies and support for national development, noting Kano’s hospitality as a symbol of commitment to unity and service excellence.

The HoCSF highlighted achievements under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, including digitisation, performance management reforms, staff welfare improvements, and culture change initiatives.

She announced plans for a successor framework to further strengthen the civil service beyond 2025.

Walson-Jack also noted ongoing personnel audits and skills gap analyses to eliminate ghost workers, improve payroll integrity, and guide recruitment and training.

She reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to a fully paperless civil service by December 31, and highlighted newly approved policies on rewards, incentives, and mentoring to enhance accountability and succession planning.

Earlier, Kabir-Yusuf, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to public service reforms, stressing that the quality of governance depends on the civil service.

Karbir-Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruk Ibrahim, called for stronger federal-state coordination, and commended the progress of FCSSIP 2021–2025, including digitalisation and HR reforms.

The Head of Service of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, in his welcome address described the NCE as a platform for policy dialogue and harmonisation.

He noted that hosting the council after more than two decades demonstrates Kano’s organisational capacity and commitment to national service.

Musa highlighted the state’s achievements, including prompt payment of salaries, settlement of pension arrears, investment in capacity development, and promotion of professionalism in the civil service.

He thanked Governor Yusuf for his visionary leadership, labour-friendly policies, and dedication to improving civil service welfare and efficiency, describing the gathering as a celebration of shared values and professional excellence in public administration.