The Civil Services of Nigeria and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen their partnership to advance civil service reforms in Nigeria. This agreement was reached during a meeting between Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation of Nigeria, and Rt. Hon. Simon Case, UK Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, at the UK Cabinet Office in London.
According to a statement by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Head of Information and Public Relations, the meeting focused on sharing knowledge and best practices to support Nigeria’s ongoing reforms under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021-2025.
Discussions included enhancing capability building, knowledge management, and improving Nigeria’s Civil Service Week activities, drawing inspiration from the UK’s “Civil Service Live” conference model. Both nations agreed to explore exchange programs and study tours to facilitate mutual learning and knowledge exchange.
The UK’s Head of Civil Service expressed a commitment to providing insights on Civil Service development, while also valuing the lessons that could be learned from Nigeria’s experiences. The collaboration aims to strengthen the partnership between the two countries, enhance civil service capabilities, and foster a mutually beneficial relationship.
Mrs. Walson-Jack reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding civil servants who display exceptional diligence, integrity, accountability, and a focus on citizen-centered service. She underscored the critical role of the Civil Service in achieving the goals of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that the Civil Service’s primary duty is to serve the Nigerian people effectively.
During a courtesy visit by top management staff to her office in honor of her birthday, Walson-Jack stated, “To achieve the goals of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, it is essential to foster unity and ensure that every member of the Civil Service works with diligence, integrity, and a strong focus on the citizens of Nigeria, who are the true beneficiaries of our service.”
She also highlighted the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of civil servants, noting that efforts are underway to establish a recognition policy and guidelines to ensure that civil servants are celebrated appropriately and promptly.
