Seasoned bureaucrat and prolific writer Prof. Adetunji Olaopa has extolled the vision that informed the establishment of the Centre for Public Sector Governance CPSG under the aegis of the Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria, SCGN. He commended in particular, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for the bringing CPSG to fruition, describing it as a patriotic initiative by seasoned professionals. He made the commendation in Abuja during the inaugural conference and launch of the Centre for Public Sector Governance (CPSG).
Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, praised the CPSG as a vital addition to Nigeria’s institutional and managerial framework, designed to address the structural constraints impeding the nation’s development and to unlock its potential. Speaking on the theme “Strengthening Leadership and Ethics in Public Institutions,” he lamented the declining perception of public service in Nigeria, which he said has been plagued by inefficiency and poor work ethics. He noted: “To say you work in a public institution often translates to arriving late, conducting personal business during office hours, and being unproductive. As a result, the public service is no longer regarded as the employer of choice.”
Describing public service as a sacred duty akin to the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament, Olaopa outlined measures to make it more effective. He emphasized the need for a modern, dynamic public service that is: Fast-moving, professional, and adaptable, Entrepreneurial and performance-focused, Information-rich and accountable, Committed to creating a conducive policy environment for private sector growth, Capable of fostering a new productivity paradigm for national economic transformation.
Olaopa argued that an efficient public service requires transformational managers, not mere administrators. Such leaders should possess 21st-century skills, including strategic foresight, entrepreneurial acumen, moral rectitude, and a commitment to public accountability. He listed professional attributes essential for public managers: Proactive orientation and strategic foresight, Innovativeness and risk-taking, Merit-based decision-making, Result-oriented and impact-driven approaches, Political neutrality and public-spiritedness.
Olaopa highlighted the complexities of leading in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment, compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and interconnected global crises, termed “polycrises.”
Earlier in his remarks, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, a Director, Advisory Board, CPSG, noted that from a philosophical standpoint, the state’s role is to foster peace, equity, and justice. He stressed the need for state resources to be deployed to enable citizens to thrive.
“If efficiently managed and adequately governed, state-owned enterprises can unlock wealth for the country. This is why SOEs require value-based audits. Speaking on establishing CPSG, he stressed that it is focused on enhancing governance within the public sector and responding to the need to strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, and restore trust in the governance system,” he added.
Ajogwu noted that governance is critical in shaping Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape and Sub-Saharan Africa. “The public sector remains vital to the country’s growth and development. The CPSG is open to collaboration across sectors of the economy and is a call for action for leaders, institutions, and citizens to be more transparent, accountable, and effective in the public sector.”
Ajogwu had in a recent interview, highlighted the purpose of CPSG as a dedicated hub for capacity building and governance education tailored to directors and leaders within public sector entities, including government parastatals, agencies, departments, and ministries. According to Professor Ajogwu, “CPSG is committed to developing, testing, and supporting innovative governance models that address today’s challenges. Through research, code development, policy recommendations, and practical guidance, we aim to equip public sector institutions and their leadership with the tools needed to operate effectively and meet their mandates.”
The CPSG inaugural conference provided an excellent opportunity for participants to engage in thought-provoking discussions, exchange ideas, and explore actionable strategies to address the complex governance issues facing Nigeria’s public institutions. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the latest trends in public sector governance and how these can be implemented to ensure sustainable growth and improved service delivery.
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