The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Abel, has described an efficient and accountable public service as essential to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Speaking at the 2026 Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries Week Colloquium in Abuja, Abel said economic transformation would depend on the ability of public institutions to convert policy decisions into measurable results.
He argued that fiscal pressures, economic uncertainty and technological change had increased the need for professional competence, institutional efficiency and effective implementation across government.
According to Abel, the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2030 would build on earlier reforms by prioritizing digital transformation, simpler administrative procedures and stronger performance management.
He said these measures would require changes in workplace culture, including greater emphasis on innovation, ethics, responsibility and service delivery.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by presidential adviser Sadiq Wanka, said national development goals could be realized only when institutions translated policy commitments into practical outcomes.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, who delivered the keynote address, called for merit-based recruitment, evidence-led policy advice and stronger links between promotion and performance. He also highlighted the importance of institutional continuity across changes in government.
Chairman of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries, Yayale Ahmed, urged closer engagement between serving and retired officials to preserve institutional knowledge and strengthen mentoring.
The event also featured the unveiling of the council’s Journal on Public Policy and Governance, intended to document administrative experience and contribute to policy debate.
