Defence Ministry Sensitises Directors, Officers on Civil Service Reforms

The Ministry of Defence has commenced a sensitisation programme for directors, Service Improvement Officers and other key personnel to deepen the implementation of ongoing Federal Civil Service reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability and service delivery across the public service.

Speaking at the opening of the programme at the Ministry's headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah, urged participants to embrace the reform initiatives as a strategic pathway to building a more transparent, professional and citizen-centred civil service.

Pheelangwah said the sensitisation programme aligns with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda and the reform initiatives of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which seek to transform the Federal Civil Service into a professional, innovative and results-driven institution.

He identified three major reform initiatives being promoted through the programme: the Federal Civil Service Mentoring Programme, the Enhanced Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Self-Service Platform, and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2025–2030.

According to him, the mentoring programme is designed to facilitate the transfer of institutional knowledge from experienced officers to younger personnel, thereby preserving institutional memory and preparing a new generation of competent public service leaders.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the enhanced IPPIS Self-Service Platform represents a major step in the digital transformation of the civil service, enabling officers to securely manage and update their personnel and payroll records while reducing administrative bottlenecks and improving operational efficiency.

He added that the FCSSIP 2025–2030 provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening institutional capacity through innovation, accountability, performance management, staff development, digital governance and evidence-based decision-making, all geared towards improving service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Pheelangwah stressed that as the administrative backbone of Nigeria's defence architecture, the Ministry of Defence must continuously strengthen its internal processes to support effective policy implementation, sound personnel management, institutional governance and enhanced national security.

He charged Service Improvement Officers, Service Charter Officers and Departmental Focal Officers to champion the reform agenda by cascading the knowledge acquired during the programme, promoting the mentoring initiative, encouraging the effective use of the IPPIS Self-Service Platform, ensuring compliance with Service Charter standards and implementing practical service improvement initiatives within their departments.

He further emphasised that sustainable service improvement requires not only policy reforms but also a positive organisational culture built on professionalism, integrity, prompt service delivery, reduced bureaucracy, innovation and commitment to excellence.

The Permanent Secretary commended the Ministry's Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement for organising the sensitisation programme and encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and apply the knowledge gained to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

Earlier, the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement in the Ministry, Ogidi-Paul I. H., said the programme was organised to improve participants' understanding of the relaunched Enhanced IPPIS Self-Service Platform and equip them with the practical knowledge required to maximise its benefits.

She also expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary for supporting the organisation of the sensitisation programme.

The event featured presentations on the Federal Civil Service Mentoring Programme, the relaunched Enhanced Self-Service IPPIS Platform and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving public service delivery.