From Hamza Musa Makarfi in Katsina

With daily temperatures ranging between 40°C and 50°C at this time of year, the fear of heat exhaustion would ordinarily be enough to discourage many from travelling to Katsina. The sweltering weather is better imagined than experienced. But like tourism, where some enthusiasts willingly venture to the harshest destinations at great personal cost, for attendees of the 2025 1st Biannual National Council on Civil Service (NCCS), the journey to Katsina was not one of leisure,it was a solemn call to duty, come rain or shine.

Participants understood the gravity of their role. The civil service, recognized as the engine room of governance and development, is not only central to the functioning of government but is also the essential link with the people as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Underscoring this significance, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, mni, described the Katsina retreat as one conducted with exceptional hospitality. She called it “a unique opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and renew our collective commitment to effective public service delivery,” adding that it came at a time when citizens are placing greater demands on government services than ever before.

Key Highlights:

Unified Civil Service Vision: Mrs. Walson-Jack underscored the importance of federal and state civil services operating cohesively, sharing successes, and learning from each other’s innovations to build a more efficient and citizen-focused public service.

Leveraging Diverse Expertise: She highlighted the wealth of diverse and talented individuals within the civil service, noting that their collective experiences and knowledge are vital assets in achieving impactful governance.

Commitment to Communication: The HCSF pledged to strengthen communication channels between federal and state services, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices to enhance service delivery nationwide.

Promotion of FCSSIP25: Mrs. Walson-Jack encouraged states to adopt the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25), which focuses on six key pillars aimed at transforming the civil service into a more accountable and effective institution.

Positive Reception from States, including the Head of Service Nasarawa state Barrister Abigail Waya,praised the initiative, recognizing the retreat as a valuable platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Barrister Waya informed participants of the unique strategies by the Governor Abdullahi Sule administration towards sustaining a loyal and productive service for the development of the state.

In his welcome remarks, the Katsina State Head of Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, commended the HCSF for her transformative initiatives and confirmed that many states are already aligning with her vision for a modernized civil service.