Professor Tunji Olaopa, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, emphasized the urgent need for a total revamp of the civil service to effectively address the current challenges.
Delivering a paper titled “Re-Engineering the Engine Room: The Civil Service as the Fulcrum of Sustainable Development” at the inaugural reunion of the Association of Retired Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries of Oyo and Osun States (AREHSPSOOS), Olaopa underscored the importance of re-engineering the civil service to align with the demands of nation-building, good governance, and national development.
The event, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan in Oyo State, was presided over by former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.
In his address to the audience, Olaopa emphasized the critical need for the civil service to adapt to challenges presented by information and communication technology advancements and emerging global trends.
According to the professor of public administration, the civil service serves as the institutional foundation for driving Nigeria’s developmental agenda.
He stated, “It is, therefore, imperative that the ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) – the core components of the public service system – are adequately empowered to operate efficiently and effectively in supporting nation-building, good governance, and national development.”
“To use the engineering analogy as a reference point, the bureaucratic powerhouse that previously operated like a Beetle car engine now requires the power of a jet engine to propel progress forward,” Olaopa added.
He outlined a change management framework centered on three key principles: bureaucratic efficiency quality, service delivery quality, and performance accountability within a democratic setting, as well as the professionalism of public servants.
These principles, Olaopa explained, aim to drive institutional reform, transforming public bureaucracies into dynamic, intelligent, professional, information-rich, flexible, adaptive, and entrepreneurial entities.
Former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, praised the association members for their commitment and dedication to enhancing efficiency and performance within the public service.