FCSC boss seeks review of civil service disciplinary system

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has called for a comprehensive review of the disciplinary control system in the civil service.

Olaopa made the call at a one-day joint retreat between the Commission and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

According to him, such reform is necessary to drive culture change, value reorientation, and address the persistent delays in handling disciplinary matters within the system.

Head of Press and Public Relations, FCSC, Taiwo Hassan, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, quoted Olaopa as describing the relationship between the Commission and OHCSF as “Siamese twins,” given their shared roles in implementing policies, enforcing regulations, and providing leadership for the nation’s civil service.

“The Chairman called for a holistic review of disciplinary control in the civil service to drive deep-seated culture change, value reorientation, and reverse the delays in handling disciplinary cases in the service.

“There was a thin line in the shared central governance responsibilities of the two offices, and there are bound to be some measures of conflict and tension around the boundaries of roles, jurisdictions, and operations in actual practice.

“The retreat was organised to enables open communication, regular meetings and dialogue, problem-solving, co-creation, sharing and learning in an atmosphere that helps prevent misunderstanding, build trust and foster strategic partnership,” the statement added.

The FCSC boss also emphasised the importance of rethinking the link between merit, competency-based human resource practices, performance management, and the wage structure, noting that such integration was crucial to restoring the Federal Government’s image as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Esther Walson-Jack, said the retreat represented a renewed partnership between the two bodies and a deliberate effort to deepen collaboration in service to Nigerians.

She lauded Olaopa for his “unwavering support” and described him as a dependable ally in the ongoing civil service transformation.

Walson-Jack also commended the FCSC for introducing reforms such as the Computer-Based Test for promotion examinations and merit-based recruitment, which she said would enhance transparency and fairness in the system.

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