Tinubu orders audit of civil service workforce

President Bola Tinubu has instructed that a comprehensive audit of federal civil service personnel and an analysis of existing skill gaps be carried out as part of efforts to reform the public sector.

Delivering the directive on Thursday during the International Civil Service Conference held in Abuja, the president emphasized his administration’s commitment to building a more efficient and professional public service.

“I have authorized the comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity. I urge all responsible stakeholders to prioritize timely completion of this critical exercise, to begin implementing targeted reforms, to realize the full benefit of a more agile, competent and responsive civil service,” he said.

Tinubu also urged government agencies to prioritize the integrity and strategic use of public sector data, referencing the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.

“We must let our data speak for us. We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally recognized as fruitful. This will allow global benchmarking organization to track our progress in real time and help us strengthen our position on the world stage. This will preserve privacy and uphold data sovereignty,” the president stated.

Describing the civil service as central to the delivery of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu said public servants play a crucial role in national development. He called for adaptability and innovation in the face of global economic and technological shifts.

“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.”

In her address at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, thanked the president for his supportive remarks, saying his words had boosted morale among public workers nationwide.

She commended the administration for driving transformation in the sector, noting that study tours of the UK, US, and Singapore under her leadership were already producing positive results.

Walson-Jack gave assurances that her office would continue working with key partners to implement the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), aimed at reshaping public sector performance.

She said ongoing efforts would focus on key priorities such as digitisation, performance tracking, and continuous training to improve service delivery and ensure accountability.

“The civil service is determined to exceed expectations by embedding a culture of innovation, ethical leadership, and citizen-centred governance in the heart of public administration,” she added.