Merit, Not Favouritism, Must Drive Perm Sec Selections – HoCSF
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has urged State Heads of Service to prioritise merit in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries across state civil services.
She made this charge on Monday, during the opening of a study tour for State Heads of Service, at her office in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2025 Civil Service Week.
Walson-Jack described Permanent Secretaries as the “foot soldiers” of public administration, warning that any failure to appoint them based on merit would amount to “tearing down your own house.”
According to her, the role of Permanent Secretaries in shaping and driving reforms makes their selection a matter of critical national importance.
She commended states already taking the issue seriously and encouraged others to follow suit to strengthen the effectiveness of their respective civil services.
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Speaking on the objectives of the study tour, she explained that it was designed to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation among the participants.
“Our focus is to deepen our understanding of strategic planning, service delivery, and human capital management. We must also embrace digital tools and data-driven systems to reshape public administration and amplify its impact,” she said.
The tour, which will take participants through key federal ministries and institutions in Abuja, also seeks to strengthen the partnership between the federal and state civil services.
Walson-Jack noted that the tour aligns with the concluding phase of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025), themed, “Final Sprint: Delivering Results.”
She said the Nigerian public is eager to see tangible progress in service delivery, efficiency, and digital transformation, and expressed confidence that civil servants at all levels would rise to the challenge.
Reaffirming her office’s commitment to supporting state civil services, the Head of Service promised continued assistance in the areas of policy direction, training, innovation, and technical collaboration
