Olaopa Charges Commissions to Implement Reform Resolutions as 45th Council Winds Down
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has charged Federal and State Civil Service Commissions to translate the resolutions of the 45th National Council into measurable institutional reforms.
Olaopa said the success of the annual engagement would be determined by the quality of implementation, not by declarations made.
He spoke at the closing of the five-day Council meeting in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday.
He described the meeting as a significant step towards establishing a common reform agenda for repositioning Civil Service Commissions as professional, competent, ethical and adaptable institutions.
Olaopa identified key priorities from the deliberations to include strengthening merit-based recruitment alongside national spread, establishing consistent guidelines for appointments, promotions and disciplinary procedures, and improving collaboration with Offices of Heads of Service.
He also listed effective operationalisation of the Performance Management System (PMS) as a credible basis for personnel decisions, according to a statement by Ibraheem Zakariyya, the Head of Information and Public Relations at the Commission
He emphasised the need to recognise exceptional performance, address promotion stagnation responsibly, and strengthen fairness and accountability in career management.
The FCSC Chairman underscored the urgency of digital modernisation of personnel records, recruitment and administrative processes.
He noted that technology-driven reforms should deliver tangible improvements in efficiency, transparency, record management and service delivery.
The FCSC Boss called for stronger institutional safeguards against recruitment fraud, scams and racketeering, alongside improved public communication, active institutional websites and periodic performance reporting to rebuild public confidence in the Civil Service.
On organisational culture and future readiness, he called for continuous learning, digital competence and institutional preparedness for emerging professional demands, including the application of Artificial Intelligence.
Olaopa stressed that leadership conduct, professional standards and recognition of deserving contributions would remain critical to entrenching the culture change required for a future-ready Civil Service.
Expressing concern over the relatively low implementation of previous Council resolutions, he urged all Commissions to establish practical implementation plans, assign responsibilities and adopt measurable indicators for tracking progress.
The Chairman noted that the implementation-tracking mechanism agreed upon by the Council should facilitate accountability, identify institutional constraints, and promote peer learning and sustained collaboration among Federal and State Commissions.
He reaffirmed the FCSC’s commitment to advancing the shared reform agenda through its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, particularly in digital transformation, professionalisation of its Secretariat, stronger stakeholder partnerships and evidence-based administration.
Olaopa expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Delta State, the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Noble Lady (Chief) Roseline Eno Amioku, delegates, resource persons, the organising committee and the media for their contributions to the successful hosting of the meeting, before formally declaring the substantive proceedings of the 45th Annual National Council closed.
