Foundation Partners OHCSF To Drive Public Service Reform
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), in partnership with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, has launched a capacity-building program aimed at deepening leadership effectiveness within Nigeria’s public service.
The initiative, tagged Line Managers Onboarding Training, is designed to equip supervisors with practical skills to induct, mentor, and support new hires across the civil service.
The Executive Vice-Chair of the Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The programme, which targets Directors of Human Resources, Deputy Directors of Staff Welfare and Training across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as key personnel from the OHCSF’s Career Management Office, Employee Mobility, and Learning & Development Departments, focuses on leadership, communication, and accountability, essential tools for driving team performance and improving staff retention.
According to the organizers, the initiative builds on a 2023 Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation-backed study, which revealed that the quality of supervision during a public servant’s early career years significantly influences their long-term productivity, engagement, and sense of purpose within the service.
Speaking during the launch, Ofovwe underscored the critical role of supervisors in shaping the culture and effectiveness of public institutions.
“Every great institution depends on the strength of its people, and in the public service, line managers hold the key to shaping that strength.
“When supervisors are well-equipped to guide and inspire, they set the tone for a culture of excellence that directly impacts how government serves its citizens,” she said.
The two-day workshop was facilitated by public administration experts, including Dr Aung Hein of Durham University, England, Professor Isaac Obasi of the University of Abuja, and Chioma Njoku, Director of Programmes at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.
The sessions focus on practical leadership and communication tools that will enable line managers to strengthen induction systems, promote professional values, and foster team innovation and performance across government institutions.
Emphasising the importance of early career guidance in the civil service, Hein noted, “When new talent joins the Civil Service, their first experience often determines their entire career trajectory.
“Effective supervision during onboarding can make the difference between a motivated workforce and one struggling with low morale and high turnover.”
The Line Managers Onboarding Training directly supports the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP25), which prioritises professionalisation, leadership development, and institutional performance across government structures.
Founded by Aigboje and Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is a public sector-focused philanthropic organization dedicated to transforming public service delivery and improving access to quality primary healthcare across Africa.
