The landscape of Nigeria's public service is set for a significant transformation as top officials gather in Abia State for a crucial national conference. The 44th Annual National Council of the Civil Service Commissions of the Federation will hold in Umuahia from November 30 to December 5, 2025.
Setting the Stage for Reform
This year's gathering, organized under the auspices of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), carries the theme 'Repositioning Service Commissions In Nigeria As Hub of Professionalism In Public Services Resource Management.' The conference marks the second consecutive meeting after a decade-long hiatus, following the successful 2024 edition in Katsina State that produced the historic "Katsina Declaration".
In a statement released on Thursday, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, explained the rationale behind this year's focus. He emphasized that the theme was carefully chosen to interrogate the FCSC's newly packaged medium-term strategic plan.
Building a National Movement for Change
The primary objective is to inspire state civil service commissions to adopt similar strategies, creating a nationwide movement to transform Civil Service Commissions into centers of Human Resource Management professionalism. This transformation aims to drive a new wave of career management trajectory within the Nigerian civil service system.
Professor Olaopa further highlighted that this repositioning is essential for enhanced performance and capability readiness. The ultimate goal is to establish the civil service as a strategic partner in implementing the national development agenda across all three tiers of government in the federation.
Distinguished Participants and Speakers
The conference will feature Prof. Tijjani Bande, Nigeria's immediate past permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, as the keynote speaker. He will be joined by other experts, bureaucrats, human resource specialists, and tested management consultants who will make presentations focused on the changes and reforms envisioned for service commissions in Nigeria over the next five years.
The council meeting, hosted by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, will attract federal and state chairmen of civil service commissions and their commissioners, permanent secretaries, and other critical stakeholders. Representatives from civil society organizations and international bodies are also expected to participate in this important dialogue about the future of Nigeria's public service.
