Vice-President Kashim Shettima has described Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service as the “bedrock” and stabilising force of the country, urging experienced retired public servants to remain available to contribute their knowledge and expertise to national development.
Shettima made the remarks in Abuja on Thursday while represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Dr Aliyu Modibbo, at the unveiling of two books authored by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.
The Vice-President said Nigeria could benefit immensely from the wealth of experience accumulated by retired civil servants at both federal and state levels.
He urged former public servants not to reject opportunities to serve when called upon, regardless of the position offered to them.
“The civil service is the bedrock of this federation. It’s the stability of the system and there is a reason for us to maintain stability of the system,” Shettima said.
He added, “Please, if you are offered an appointment, even if it is Senior Special Assistant, take it because of the system, not because you pass that position.”
Shettima stressed the need for the country to tap into the knowledge and experience of seasoned public servants to strengthen governance, preserve institutional memory and ensure stability within the public service.
The Vice-President spoke at the presentation of Yemi-Esan’s books, Making Reforms Work: Leadership Lessons from the Implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 and Help of God, which document her experiences and reforms during her tenure as Head of Service.
Reviewing the first book, former Head of Service Bukar Goni-Aji described it as an honest account of the challenges and achievements recorded during Yemi-Esan’s five-year tenure.
He highlighted several issues contained in the book, including a ransomware attack on the electronic content management platform of the Head of Service’s office in 2023.
Goni-Aji also disclosed that a verification exercise uncovered 1,618 officers with unverifiable appointment letters, while more than 2,600 officers who failed to appear for verification were referred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Salaries of 11,447 officers were also reportedly placed on hold.
The current Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, commended Yemi-Esan for documenting her experiences and reforms, saying she left behind “a full reform agenda, several moving trains, and a clear expectation that none of them should remain at the station.”
Responding, Yemi-Esan described public leadership as both a privilege and a responsibility, urging office holders to ensure that institutions are left stronger than they found them.
She also encouraged young civil servants to see public service as a noble calling, stressing that retirement should not mark the end of their opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s development.
