‘To reward excellence, enhance performance’ — FG approves three transformative policies for civil service

The federal government has approved three policies aimed at transforming the civil service, enhancing productivity and improving service delivery to Nigerians.

In a statement on Sunday, Eno Olotu, director of information and public relations at the office of the head of the civil service of the federation (HCSF), said the policies were recently approved at a federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Olotu said the reforms introduced a rewards and recognition system policy, an incentive and consequence management policy, and the civil service mentoring policy.

According to Olotu, the rewards and recognition system policy is aimed at boosting productivity by attracting, nurturing, developing, and retaining the best talent in the service through a comprehensive and robust framework.

“This landmark development heralds a new era of performance-driven governance, strategic talent development, and enhanced accountability, designed to work in synergy to motivate staff, instil a culture of excellence, and significantly improve service delivery to the Nigerian people,” the statement reads.

“The incentive and consequence management policy establishes a clear, transparent, and equitable system in which high performance is duly rewarded, while underperformance is addressed through structured consequences.

“The policy is designed to promote fairness and accountability at all levels, while also providing pathways for support and development for those requiring improvement.

“The mentoring policy aims to bridge critical experience gaps and facilitate the systematic transfer of institutional knowledge.

“It will equip the next generation with the requisite skills, values, and ethical grounding for strategic leadership, while preserving invaluable institutional memory against the tide of retirements, thereby ensuring continuity and sustained excellence.”

Olotu said Didi Esther Walson-Jack, head of service of the federation (HCSF), affirmed that the policies are pivotal to staff welfare and enhance the value proposition of civil servants—one of the six pillars of the federal civil service strategy and implementation plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).

Walson- Jack added that the policies are in line with the 2021 public service rules (060101–060111) and commended the president for his unwavering commitment to transforming the service.

She noted that approval was a definitive demonstration of the government’s commitment to valuing public servants, rewarding excellence, and systematically cultivating the next generation of leaders.

The HCSF assured civil servants that the policies would recognise dedication, reward excellence, and invest in their growth.

Walson-Jack stressed that her office is committed to forging a world-class service equipped to drive the nation’s progress.