Kwara State Government Enhances Governance Through Capacity Building Workshop
The Kwara State Government has taken a significant step toward strengthening public service delivery by organizing a comprehensive two-day workshop for its top administrative officials. The training program, which took place on November 9, 2025, brought together Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Directors at Wingate Hotel in Ilorin.
Strengthening Administrative Leadership
Acting Head of Service, Dr. Olufunke Shittu, officially opened the workshop and commended Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to capacity building within the state's public service sector. The workshop, organized by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with Triumph Communication, focused on the theme "Effective Governance and Effective Leadership Skills."
Dr. Shittu emphasized that the administration recognizes good governance and effective leadership as fundamental pillars for sustainable development and efficient service delivery to citizens. She highlighted the crucial role that Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries play in policy formulation and implementation across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The workshop was designed with several key objectives:
- Enhancing existing skills with contemporary tools and techniques for effective decision-making
- Improving collaboration between political and administrative leadership
- Introducing global best practices in public administration and ethical leadership
- Reinforcing transparency and accountability in governance
Expert Insights on Democratic Governance
Professor Emmanuel Ojo from the University of Ilorin's Political Science department delivered a lead presentation during the workshop. The former chief of staff to an Oyo state governor stressed that effective governance and leadership skills are essential for delivering democratic dividends to the people.
Professor Ojo urged participants to constantly update their knowledge to enhance productivity and service delivery, particularly in reaching both urban and rural communities. He outlined several essential qualities expected from top government officials:
- Loyalty and competence in their duties
- Daily information gathering and analysis
- Spatial development awareness
- Servant leadership approach
- Strong constituency connections
- Data-driven decision making
- Active listening skills
The university don particularly emphasized the importance of thinking outside the box when addressing societal problems, noting that governments continually face new and unforeseen challenges.
Communication Excellence in Governance
Another notable presentation came from Professor Lambe Kayode Mustapha, a Mass Communication expert from the University of Ilorin, who addressed effective communication strategies for top government officials. His session focused on improving how government messages are conveyed to the public.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by Senior Adviser and Counsellor Alhaji Saadu Salau, encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to advance good governance throughout the state. The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Saba Jibril, reinforced this message by stressing the government's determination to continue investing in capacity building for public officers.
Chief Raheem Adedoyin, the workshop facilitator, explained that the program combined both theoretical knowledge and practical applications to enhance service delivery. He expressed expectation that the training would enable Permanent Secretaries and Commissioners to perform their duties in ways that reflect government aspirations, particularly at the grassroots level.
The workshop represents a significant investment in human capital development within Kwara State's public service, with anticipated outcomes including improved performance, enhanced productivity, and better service delivery to the people of Kwara State.
