Institutional Memory Key To Reforms, Federal Government Tells Retired Perm Secs

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance by deepening collaboration with the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) as a strategic reservoir of institutional memory for improved national development.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made this known while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Annual Dinner and Awards Night of the Council held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

In a statement by the director of information in the office of SGF, Segun Imohiosen, the SGF described CORFEPS as an invaluable national asset whose collective experience remains central to enhancing policy formulation, continuity in governance, and effective public sector reforms.

He stated that the theme of the event, “Harnessing the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries as a Wealth of Institutional Memory for Nation Building,” was timely, as Nigeria continued to contend with the consequences of policy inconsistencies and implementation gaps.

According to him, “Nothing can replace experience. Members of CORFEPS are living repositories of institutional memory. The nation stands to benefit immensely from your insights, and the present administration remains open and committed to leveraging your expertise.”

The SGF highlighted recent efforts by President Bola Tinubu to integrate the wisdom of elder statesmen into governance, including the appointment of some CORFEPS members to key national positions across various agencies and commissions. He pledged that his office would continue to work closely with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to advance key proposals of the council.

Delivering opening remarks earlier, the chairman of CORFEPS, Yayale Ahmed, emphasised that CORFEPS remained committed to continued patriotic service and nation-building. He described the Council as a sanctuary of wisdom and a custodian of administrative heritage, noting that retirement does not end service to the nation.