Walson-Jack Bows Out August 27, Urges Civil Servants To Sustain Reform Agenda

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has announced that she will leave office on August 27, 2026, calling on civil servants to remain committed to sustaining the reforms introduced during her tenure.

Speaking at the Mentoring Marketplace and the presentation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) Employee Self-Service Application in Abuja, Walson-Jack disclosed that the ongoing 2026 Civil Service Week would be the last she would observe as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“This is the last Civil Service Week I will observe as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“On the 27th of August 2026, I will close the chapter of a career that has given me everything: purpose, friendships, battles worth fighting, and the privilege of serving this great nation at its highest administrative level,” she said.

Reflecting on her stewardship, the outgoing Head of Service expressed gratitude to civil servants for embracing and driving the reform agenda across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“You did not have to make my vision your own. But you did. And because of you, this Service is different today from when I arrived,” she said.

She stressed that the success and longevity of the reforms would depend on the continued dedication of civil servants after her departure.

“Reforms are only as strong as the people who believe in them. You, the Civil Servants of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are the reason the reforms have held. Not the policy papers. Not the circulars. You. And I am profoundly grateful,” Walson-Jack stated.

She noted that this year’s Civil Service Week focused on mentoring and digital transformation because the future of the public service depends on strengthening both its workforce and institutional systems.

Describing mentoring as a vital instrument for leadership development, succession planning and institutional continuity, she recalled how the guidance she received from a senior officer early in her career shaped her professional growth and inspired her commitment to nurturing future leaders.

Walson-Jack also unveiled the IPPIS Employee Self-Service Application, describing it as a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation of the Federal Civil Service.

According to her, the platform will enable civil servants to access and manage their personnel records more efficiently, reducing delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long hindered administrative processes.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, described the mentoring initiative as a critical pillar of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).

He lamented that the civil service had lost substantial institutional knowledge over the years as experienced officers retired without adequate replacements, largely due to prolonged recruitment restrictions.

Olaopa disclosed that the ongoing Human Resources Audit approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would identify workforce gaps and provide the foundation for rebuilding capacity across the Federal Civil Service.

He advocated structured mentorship programmes, effective succession planning and reverse mentoring, which would enable younger officers to transfer digital competencies and emerging technology skills to senior colleagues while benefiting from their wealth of experience.