Esther Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), has celebrated her 100 days in office with a series of ground-breaking initiatives aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s civil service.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July and inaugurated in August, her tenure has been marked by bold steps to actualize the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at a Recognition Dinner in Abuja for the 332 newly-promoted directors, Mrs Walson-Jack emphasized their pivotal role in driving reforms and setting new benchmarks for governance.
“Your promotion heralds the beginning of a more challenging yet fulfilling phase where your influence and impact will shape the future of our civil service,” she told them.
She urged them to uphold the highest standards of public service, embrace transparency, and foster collaboration within their teams.
Launch of Innovative Reforms
Mrs Walson-Jack had earlier in the week unveiled transformative digital tools designed to enhance efficiency and accountability in the civil service. These include:
- Service-Wise GPT: An AI-powered decision-making assistant for improved efficiency.
- GOVMail: A secure email platform for official communications.
- Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy: A platform offering online courses to upskill civil servants.
Additionally, on Friday, the HCSF launched four key policies and guidelines to strengthen governance and performance in the civil service, including Rewards and Recognition Policy and Guidelines, Incentives and Consequence Management Policy and Guidelines, Mentoring Framework and Protocol on the Use of Federal Government Secretariat
“These policies are strategically aligned with the Public Service Rules 2021 and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP-25), ensuring coherence, sustainability, and measurable impact,” Mrs Walson-Jack explained.
Driving Reforms Through Leadership
The HCSF charged the newly-promoted directors to serve as torchbearers of reform, inspiring confidence among subordinates and stakeholders.
“Your leadership must be characterized by collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning,” she said, while pledging her full support to help them succeed in their respective roles.
Mrs Walson-Jack’s first 100 days have laid a solid foundation for transforming Nigeria’s civil service into a technology-driven, citizen-focused institution capable of delivering on the nation’s development goals.