The chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has called for a comprehensive review of disciplinary procedures in the civil service, citing persistent delays in handling such cases.
Olaopa made the call during the first joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), held at the Office of the National Security Adviser Complex in Abuja.
The retreat, themed “Enhancing Collaboration for an Efficient and Productive Civil Service in Nigeria,” focused on addressing overlapping roles and operational gaps between the two institutions. It also sought to strengthen coordination, align policies, and resolve tensions arising from shared governance responsibilities.
SPONSOR AD
Highlighting the need for reforms, Olaopa stressed the importance of adopting merit- and competency-based human resource practices, improving performance management, and reviewing wage structures.
In a statement signed by Taiwo Hassan, Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, Olaopa described the relationship between the FCSC and the OHCSF as that of “Siamese twins.”
“There is a thin line in our shared governance responsibilities, and overlaps naturally create tensions,” he said. “This retreat is designed to foster open communication, regular dialogue, problem-solving, and learning to prevent misunderstandings and build trust.”
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration, noting that “progress is only possible when we work together, not apart.” She described the retreat as a step toward strengthening institutional cooperation and aligning the objectives of both organizations.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the FCSC, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Phillip, said the retreat would consolidate cooperation between the two offices and reposition the Civil Service for improved performance.
Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Mustapha Lawal Suleiman stressed that the core mandates of the Commission must be executed in collaboration with representatives from the Office of the Head of Service to ensure policy synchronization and enhanced service delivery.
