Olaopa Pushes Training Reform To Prepare Civil Service For Future Industrial Revolutions
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has emphasised the need to rethink the training of public servants as part of reforms to prepare the sector for the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions.
Olaopa made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barr. Imeh Okon, and her management team during a courtesy visit.
He noted that efforts to reprofessionalise the civil service through training would be ineffective if such programmes do not deliver measurable impact, stressing that training must translate into improved performance.
According to him, one way to achieve this is by integrating training into performance evaluation for career progression, including the introduction of training-based confidential assessments to encourage seriousness among officers.
He explained that manpower development institutions (MDIs) play a critical role in this process, adding that regular engagement between civil service leaders and training institutions is essential for effective reform.
Olaopa further stated that reprofessionalisation would be driven by training programmes aligned with global standards, while also reshaping the intellectual foundation of work and deepening professionalism across key cadres such as procurement, ICT, and human resource management.
He acknowledged the roles of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and PSIN but cautioned against duplication of functions, advocating clearly defined mandates and supporting plans to upgrade ASCON into a School of Government while PSIN focuses on civil service capacity building.
Earlier, PSIN Administrator, Barr. Imeh Okon, said the visit was to introduce her team and strengthen collaboration with the FCSC, adding that the institute would benefit from Olaopa’s experience while continuing to focus on training, research, and retraining of retiring civil servants.
