Tag: Didi Walson-Jack

Federal Government has launched a personnel audit and skills gap analysis to eliminate ghost workers.

The government is set to create a credible database of civil servants in the country.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, said this in Abuja while opening a retreat.

She said the exercise, PASGA, is a step in repositioning the civil service for efficiency and accountability in line with the President’s Renewed Hope.

“For too long, reforms have been anchored on assumptions. This exercise will give us a workforce profile that can be trusted for evidence-based planning, targeted training, efficient deployment, and transparent succession management,” Mrs. Walson-Jack said.

She said the project, being undertaken with Phillips Consulting and 15 cluster consultants, will provide a record of not just the number of federal workers but also their competencies, distribution, and skills gaps across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

“This assignment is not merely technical, it is strategic. It will shape recruitment, postings, promotions, training, and succession planning. A well-structured civil service is the foundation for efficient and responsive governance,” she said.

Chairman of Phillips Consulting, Mr. Folusho Phillips, said the exercise is a “major reform effort with nationwide impact”.

He explained that its first task is to verify the authenticity of federal workers on the payroll.

“The civil service is an organisation of over 70,000 workers. We must first establish who truly is a civil servant, then identify their capabilities and match them with their jobs.

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”The gaps we uncover will guide future recruitment and training. This is a major exercise, and we expect it to be replicated by states,” he said.

Also, Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office in the OHCSF, Dr. Danjuma Kalba, said the retreat was convened to harmonise methodologies of all consultants before the audit.

“Each HR firm has its method, but for a national assignment of this scale, divergent approaches will lead to inconsistent results. That is why we are here—to ensure harmonised methodology before going to the field,” he said.

The steering committee, implementation team, lead consultant, and cluster consultants will agree on a unified framework that will guide the personnel audit and skills gap analysis

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, has flagged off the 2025 Civil Service Week with a strong call for a culture shift in Nigeria’s public service, stating that true transformation must start within government offices, reflect in how they look, operate, and serve citizens.

Speaking during the commissioning of the newly remodeled foyer at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Walson-Jack described the facelift as more than a visual upgrade, but a symbol of the core values her administration seeks to embed, dignity, professionalism, and inclusivity.

“We are reimagining the Civil Service as a dynamic engine of governance—efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-centred,” she said. “The transformation we seek must begin here, in our processes, our attitudes, and yes, even in our workspaces.”

The upgraded foyer, now featuring an exhibition gallery and enhanced amenities, marks a step toward aligning Nigeria’s civil service with global standards.

Walson-Jack stressed that improved infrastructure and the adoption of technology are critical to boosting productivity and restoring public confidence in government institutions.

Also speaking at the event, Architect Joy Osarete Badere, Director of Infrastructure Management and Overseeing Director at the Special Duties Office, noted that the design of the new foyer prioritized accessibility for persons with disabilities, reinforcing the commitment to inclusivity.

“From the beginning, we made sure that every part of the structure was accessible. We included ramps at every change in level and remodeled the restrooms with fittings suited for persons with disabilities. The goal is to ensure everyone can use the facility with ease and dignity,” she said

She called on all government MDAs to adopt inclusive design as a baseline for future construction projects, saying, “Accessibility should never be an afterthought. It must be planned from the outset.”

Badere also disclosed that while the major remodeling has been completed, development of the gallery will be an ongoing process with continuous upgrades to maintain relevance and functionality.

The commissioning ceremony formally launched the week-long Civil Service Week celebrations, an annual event that recognizes the dedication of civil servants and serves as a platform for advancing reforms in service delivery.