Joel Ajayi

In a strong show of support for sub-national reforms, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has commended the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for his exceptional leadership and reform-driven governance, which continue to enhance public service delivery and foster sustainable development.

Speaking during a courtesy visit on the governor, the HCSF described the visit to the State as insightful and memorable.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director, Information and Public Relations Mrs Eno Olotu, stated that Walson-Jack expressed deep appreciation to Governor Zulum for the warm hospitality extended to her delegation and for his steadfast partnership with the Federal Civil Service.

She praised the Governor’s visionary leadership and reform-driven governance to enhance public service delivery and promote sustainable development across the State.

Mrs. Walson-Jack highlighted several key engagements she undertook while in the State including her participation at the 110th Regular Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, where she delivered the keynote address; the commissioning of strategic healthcare infrastructure; an inspection tour of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; as well as strategic engagements with staff of federal institutions at the Federal Secretariat and the Federal Training Centre (FTC), Maiduguri.

According to her, these engagements provided valuable insights into local service delivery efforts and presented opportunities for stronger intergovernmental collaboration.

The HCSF particularly commended the Zulum-led administration for its deliberate investment in capacity building for Civil Servants. She noted that the structured training programmes, institutional reforms, and emphasis on performance management in Borno State are in strong alignment with the priorities of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).

She further applauded Borno State’s active participation in key national reform initiatives, including the 2025 Civil Service Week held in Abuja, the Institutional Strengthening Retreat in Katsina, and the maiden International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. These efforts, she said, reflect a firm commitment to building a modern, efficient, and people-oriented Civil Service.

In line with ongoing digital transformation under FCSSIP25, the HCSF presented a number of federal digital initiatives aimed at enhancing service efficiency, transparency, and engagement. These include ServiceWise GPT – an AI-powered tool for civil service knowledge access; GOVMAIL – a secured official email system for civil servants; the Online Compendium of Federal Circulars; the Federal Civil Service Online Academy; and monthly publications such as Civil Service News and the Service Welfare Newsletter. She encouraged the Borno State Government to explore adaptation of these innovations to strengthen service delivery at the State level.

A notable highlight of the visit was the commendation of the restoration and revitalisation of the Federal Training Centre (FTC), Maiduguri, which had previously been displaced due to insurgency.

Mrs. Walson-Jack announced that the Centre has now secured full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to offer diploma-level training in key areas such as Public Administration, Office Technology, and Procurement and Supply Chain Management. She attributed

this milestone to Governor Zulum’s unwavering support and leadership, describing his intervention as pivotal to the Centre’s recovery and repositioning.

In his response, Governor Zulum welcomed the HCSF and her delegation, and commended the HCSF for her resilience, focus, and dedication to driving critical reform initiatives at the federal level and promised to domesticate them at the state level.

He acknowledged the synergy between federal and state-level reforms and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing workforce productivity, and ensuring the welfare of  Civil Servants in Borno State.

The HCSF reiterated the commitment of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to sustaining collaboration with the Borno State Government, with a shared goal of building a resilient, professional, and citizen-focused public service

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