By Johnson Adebowale
In a significant move aimed at transforming Nigeria’s public service, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has partnered with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to drive a culture change within the civil service. This collaboration was highlighted during the 2024 civil service week, held in Lagos.
• L-R: Ogunleye, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Utake, Dr. Yemi-Esan and Dr Salako during the ceremony.
The foundation, known for its dedication to enhancing public service and healthcare across Africa, played a pivotal role in this year’s civil service week. The foundation’s support is part of its ongoing efforts to assist the OHCSF in implementing the civil service culture change initiative, designed to foster new ethos within the civil service.
A central feature of this year’s event was the award of cash prizes to top-performing civil servants through the Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund. Additionally, the much-anticipated civil service culture handbook, supported by the foundation, was officially launched. These initiatives underscore the theme of the week: ‘Educating 21st century Africans: Strengthening education systems for enhanced access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa,’ which highlights the essential role a robust civil service plays in national development.
In his address, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of the foundation, underscored the critical importance of civil servants in the nation’s growth. “While political office holders serve nothing more than eight years in office, civil servants serve the nation for decades. An invaluable and timeless resource, they must be preserved, supported and celebrated as they work to deliver public goods and services to Nigerians,” he stated.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation emphasizes the necessity of a motivated and professional civil service workforce to achieve national objectives. A previous culture diagnostic by the OHCSF identified a significant challenge: many civil servants lack a sense of purpose and do not believe their work significantly impacts citizens’ well-being. This mindset has led to a decline in work ethic and stifled innovation in service delivery.
The civil service culture change initiative aims to tackle this challenge head-on by promoting core values such as accountability, professionalism and efficiency. The goal is to cultivate a civil service workforce that is passionate, dedicated and committed to delivering exceptional public service.
A notable aspect of the initiative is the recognition of outstanding civil servants through the Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund, established in honor of the late Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede, a champion for public service. The fund recognizes and rewards exemplary federal civil servants with certificates of excellence and cash gifts of ₦500,000 each. Since its inception in 2022, the award has been presented to 72 civil servants who have shown exceptional performance and dedication. This recognition serves as a powerful motivator, encouraging other civil servants to strive for excellence.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s involvement in Nigeria’s Civil Service Week demonstrates its commitment to working alongside the OHCSF to foster a culture of excellence within the civil service. By instilling a sense of purpose, recognizing outstanding contributions and providing clear guidelines for ethical and efficient service delivery, the foundation aims to facilitate the transformation of Nigeria’s public sector. This engagement is part of the foundation’s multi-year, multi-billion naira commitment to enhancing public service delivery for the benefit of all Nigerians.
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