The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack is set to lead Heads of State Civil Services on a study tour to Singapore from January 23 to 26, 2025.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the tour is part of a collaborative effort between Nigeria and international development partners, with significant support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The initiative, described as a landmark program, will involve Heads of Civil Service from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and is designed to draw insights from Singapore’s globally recognized Public Service model. The aim is to adapt these practices to Nigeria’s Civil Service to improve efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.
Mrs. Walson-Jack will lead 20 Heads of Service in the first phase of the two-part initiative. Speaking on the objectives, she emphasized that the tour aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on capacity building, fostering Federal-State Civil Service collaboration, and advancing the reform goals of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).
She noted that the tour highlights the government’s commitment to modernizing and reforming the Public Service by adopting international best practices. The three-day program will center on strengthening reforms, driving digital transformation and innovation, enhancing capacity for policy formulation and implementation, fostering public-private partnerships, and improving collaboration between Federal and State Civil Services.
Participants will gain first-hand insights into Singapore’s governance structures, resource management, and operational strategies. Institutions to be visited include:
- The Public Service Division
- Civil Service College
- UNDP-supported Global Centre for Public Service Excellence
- Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
- Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO)
- Economic Development Board (EDB)
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
- SkillsFuture Singapore
- Strategy Group
- Open Government Projects (OGP)
Mrs. Olotu highlighted that the study tour reinforces the Federal Government’s dedication to advancing governance and institutional reforms, showcasing its commitment to aligning Nigeria’s Public Service with global standards for a brighter future.
