Head Of Service Urges States To Partner CIPM To Professionalise HR In Public Sector

In a stirring call to action, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has urged Heads of Service of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to deepen their partnership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) in order to accelerate the professionalisation of Human Resource (HR) practices across all levels of government.

Mrs. Walson-Jack made this appeal during a special dinner sponsored by CIPM, as part of the Heads of Service Conference Week, attended by Heads of Service from across the country. The event provided a rare platform for federal and state HR leaders to connect, collaborate, and commit to strengthening civil service capacity through shared values and professional development.

“As Heads of Service, we bear the immense responsibility of keeping the wheels of government turning, both at the federal and subnational levels,” she said. “I thank CIPM for its enduring support in advancing professional human resource practices across the public sector. Their work, particularly in talent development, performance frameworks, and institutional strengthening, continues to add real value to our service. I encourage continued and deeper engagement with the Institute.”

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation also stressed the need to extend this collaboration to the local government level, describing CIPM as “a trusted partner, ready to work with us as we drive reforms and elevate service standards.”

Earlier, the President of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, praised the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for her unwavering commitment to national service. “Mrs. Walson-Jack has proven time and time again that service to country is not just a duty, but a calling,” he said. “CIPM is proud to collaborate with her office, not just because she is one of our own, but because we see value in what she is doing.”

Gobir noted that CIPM has been working under a mandate from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation since August 2023 to professionalise HR in the public sector.

Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described the civil service as “the engine room of governance and the backbone of policy, continuity, and institutional memory,” stressing that its reform and professionalisation must remain a national priority. He said the dinner served a dual purpose: celebration and the fostering of intergovernmental collaboration in Nigeria’s federal system.

Awards were presented to select State Heads of Service who have championed CIPM membership and supported professional HR development in their respective states. Recognised were Mr. Benson Ojeikere (Abia), Mr. Leye Aina (Osun), Elder Effiong Essien (Akwa Ibom), Mr. Kehinde Onasanya (Ogun), and Mr. Olabode Agoro, MCIPM (Lagos).

CIPM Registrar/Chief Executive, Ms. Oluwatoyin Naiwo, reiterated the Institute’s commitment to national development through HR capacity building. “Supporting nation-building for us means building the capacity of civil servants within their various roles,” she said. “Without well-trained HR professionals in our MDAs, the goal of sustainable development remains out of reach.”

The evening concluded with the presentation of a special award to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in recognition of her outstanding leadership and commitment to the professionalisation of HR in the Nigerian civil service.