The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has identified skill mismatch and underutilisation as the core challenges plaguing Nigeria’s civil service, rather than the commonly assumed problem of overstaffing. This revelation was made by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, during the unveiling of the commission’s first-ever strategic plan in Abuja on Wednesday. The event was part of a three-day retreat held from June 30 to July 2, 2025.
Prof. Olaopa explained that Nigeria’s workforce within the federal civil service is relatively small compared to other countries, but the majority of employees possess skills that are no longer relevant, rendering them redundant. “If you benchmark the workforce of the federal civil service against other countries, you’ll find that our workforce is actually small. But the problem is we have a huge number of staff, most of whom lack the requisite skills to function, while the skills that the system needs are scarce,” he said.
To tackle this issue, the commission is implementing a performance management system aimed at reskilling and redeploying underutilised personnel. Additionally, voluntary exit schemes with incentives are being encouraged to streamline the workforce. “It’s about putting the right people in the right roles and building a civil service that supports national priorities,” Olaopa added.
This strategic overhaul is aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030. The plan, covering 2025 to 2029, seeks to reposition the federal civil service as a catalyst for national development rather than a bureaucratic bottleneck. “The civil service must no longer be seen as a stifler of economic growth. We are reengineering the Federal Civil Service Commission to be performance-driven, reform-oriented, and aligned with the President’s vision of making Nigeria a $1 trillion economy by 2030,” Olaopa emphasized.
The initiative follows a direct directive from President Bola Tinubu, who, during the commission’s inauguration on December 13, 2023, urged the body to “completely facilitate the transformation, reorientation, and digitisation of the federal bureaucracy to enable, not stifle growth and enhance the private sector in the development of the Nigerian economy.”
To fulfill this mandate, the commission has developed a strategic roadmap anchored on meritocracy, accountability, and digital efficiency. “The public sector must be an engine of national growth, not a deadweight. Our strategic plan is structured to make that happen by attracting the best minds, deploying technology in recruitment and promotion, and linking advancement to measurable outcomes,” Olaopa stated.
A key highlight of the plan is the institutionalisation of transparent, merit-based recruitment processes designed to eliminate patronage. For the first time, vacancies were advertised publicly, and applications were processed online. “We want to attract the brightest Nigerians into the civil service,” said Olaopa.
He further called for a renewed commitment to performance, rewarding excellence, and ensuring accountability across ministries, departments, and agencies. “We are laying the foundation for a civil service that is future-ready and fit for purpose. Our mandate is clear: to create a service that fuels the economy, not frustrates it. The $1 trillion goal is not a political slogan, it’s a strategic target we are now helping to build toward,” he concluded.
Okay.ng reports that this comprehensive reform effort signals a new era for Nigeria’s federal civil service, aiming at efficiency and economic growth.
