President Bola Tinubu on Thursday ordered the commencement of a personnel audit and skill gap analysis across all cadres of federal civil servants.
Speaking at the International Civil Service Conference in Abuja, President Tinubu said the move is aimed at improving professionalism and making sure the civil service becomes more efficient. He noted that this process would help the government know the current skill levels of civil servants and what is missing, so it can plan better for the future.
“I have authorised the comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity. I urge all responsible stakeholders to prioritise timely completion of this critical exercise, to begin implementing targeted reforms, to realise the full benefit of a more agile, competent and responsive civil service,” the President announced.
The President also gave a clear order to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to protect public data and make sure it is used properly. He pointed out that good data is important for measuring how far Nigeria has come and how much work still needs to be done.
“We must let our data speak for us. We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally recognised as fruitful,” Tinubu said.
He explained that having accurate and secure data will allow Nigeria to be seen and respected globally, and it will help track progress. This, he said, is also in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
The President called the civil service the “engine” of his Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that civil servants play a key role in developing the nation. He stressed that as the world changes due to technology and economic shifts, Nigeria’s civil service must adapt quickly and deliver strong results.
“This maiden conference is a bold step toward redefining governance in an era of rapid transformation. An innovative civil service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.
“It captures our collective ambition to reimagine and reposition the civil service. In today’s rapid, evolving world of technology, innovation remains critical in ensuring that the civil service is dynamic, digital,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, noted that the President’s support has lifted the spirits of public workers across the country. She described Tinubu as a strong supporter of ongoing reforms.
She shared that past visits to countries like Singapore, the UK, and the US to learn from their civil service models have started to bring positive changes in Nigeria. According to her, these lessons are now being put into practice.
Walson-Jack noted that her office will continue working with other reform-focused partners to carry out the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP 25). She said the plan includes using more digital tools, checking staff performance often, and encouraging continuous learning.
