Council tasks state civil service commissions on implementation of 2026–2030 strategic plan
Council tasks state civil service commissions on implementation of 2026–2030 strategic plan
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The Annual National Council of Civil Service Commissions has called on all 36 State Civil Service Commissions to begin full implementation of the Federal Civil Service Commission’s 2026–2030 strategic plan, which prioritises merit-based recruitment, digital transformation, and strengthened institutional autonomy.
This directive was contained in a communiqué issued in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Thursday at the end of the 44th National Council and Annual Conference of Civil Service Commissions.
The communiqué, sanctioned by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, instructed state commissions to develop or review their respective strategic plans, drawing guidance from the federal strategic plan within the next 12 months.
It further advised state commissions to ensure adequate resourcing of these initiatives through government budgetary provisions, development partners, and Non-Governmental Organisations.
The communiqué urged State Civil Service Commissions to establish a Strategy Implementation Coordination Unit to oversee the execution, monitoring, and reporting of their strategic plans.
It also directed state commissions to maintain a zero-tolerance stance against any public servant found guilty of falsifying age, credentials, or other essential records.
According to the communiqué, “All Civil Service Commissions are to restore merit as the principal criterion in their recruitment and promotion processes and institute clear, objective mechanisms to support inclusivity and diversity management.
“Civil Service Commissions are encouraged to strengthen their gatekeeping role by ensuring that recruitment prioritises patriotism and suitability for public service rather than material or power interests.”
The Council also urged state commissions to adopt a Human Resource Management Information System without delay, and to utilise the national policy on the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank to facilitate seamless verification of academic qualifications.
It encouraged a transition to paperless operations, including the digitisation of personnel records, introduction of e-approval systems, and the development of employee self-service portals.
Other recommendations include the need for human resource management institutions within the service to enhance their capacity through system re-engineering, technology adoption, and continuous skills development.
The Council also called for the implementation of the Performance Management System to replace the traditional Annual Performance Review.
It further advised all jurisdictions within the service to enforce relevant rules on record falsification, including wrongful alteration of data.
State commissions were encouraged to share their innovations, with the Federal Civil Service Commission expected to collate them for cross-state learning and experience sharing.
They were also directed to strengthen oversight of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the implementation of delegated human resource responsibilities through periodic compliance audits and structured feedback mechanisms.
The Council expressed appreciation to the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for hosting the 44th Annual National Council Conference.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry-Eze, thanked the National Council for choosing Abia as the host state. She pledged that the Commission would commence implementation of the 2026–2030 strategic plan once all details are finalised and released.
If fully implemented, the recommendations of the 44th National Council and Annual Conference of Civil Service Commissions, themed “Repositioning Civil Service Commissions in Nigeria as a Hub of Professionalism in Public Service Human Resource Management”, are expected to strengthen state commissions as credible, professional, and reform-driven institutions across the country.