Linus Aleke in Abuja
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has referred to as for a overview of the wage construction of public servants in Nigeria to mirror present financial realities, handle the rising price of dwelling and proper irregular disparities within the remuneration of Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Ministers, Directors-General and different heads of authorities businesses.
He emphasised the necessity for a good and sustainable remuneration system that will enhance staff’ welfare, increase morale, assist deal with corruption inside the service and improve productiveness throughout the general public service.
Mustapha made the decision whereas delivering the keynote handle on the Colloquium and Unveiling of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries and Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation (CORFEPS) Journal on Public Policy and Governance on the Rotunda, Tafawa Balewa House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
The occasion, which marked the start of CORFEPS Week 2026, was themed “Navigating the Headwinds of Governance: Centrality of the Civil Service”.
Mustapha mentioned the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, in collaboration with the Federal Civil Service and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, should handle the disparities in public sector remuneration.
“The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has an important role in remuneration options. I sometimes feel a little bit embarrassed when I see budget estimates that come out of successive governments over and over, and they are running into trillions of naira and the people that are supposed to manage those trillions of naira earn peanuts,” he mentioned.
He questioned the rationale behind entrusting public servants with monumental tasks with out adequately remunerating them, describing the scenario through which some company heads earn greater than Ministers and Permanent Secretaries mixed as irregular.
Citing Singapore’s remuneration construction, he famous that its Prime Minister earned $2.6 million yearly, in contrast with the $400,000 earned by the US President, Donald Trump. He attributed Singapore’s management construction to its rigorous recruitment course of, which pulls many leaders from the civil service.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, supported Mustapha’s place, stressing that insurance policies may solely be as efficient because the workforce accountable for implementing them.
“Professionalising the civil service is therefore not rhetoric. It involves deep talent management reforms and investment in capacity development, training and retraining,” he mentioned.
Olaopa famous that retaining gifted personnel remained a serious problem regardless of the service’s skill to appeal to extremely succesful people. He disclosed that he had mentioned the problem with the Salaries and Wages Commission, including that ongoing deliberations may assist advance civil service reforms.
Declaring the colloquium open, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure within the Office of the Vice-President, Sadiq Wanka, described the civil service as central to nationwide improvement and the state’s skill to fulfil its obligations to residents.
He mentioned the Renewed Hope Agenda mirrored the administration’s response to Nigeria’s financial and social challenges, including that the federal government had shifted its focus from the quantity of insurance policies introduced and committees inaugurated to whether or not public interventions solved issues and improved lives.
He cited obligatory ministerial deliverables coordinated by the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) and ministerial briefings as mechanisms for assessing authorities efficiency.
“We are committed to providing positive answers to everyday questions that the average Nigerians want answer to, such as, Are services reaching the people for whom they are intended? Are public funds generating value? Are decisions timely and evidence-informed? Can citizens see and trust the results?” he requested.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, mentioned the colloquium supplied a platform for mental engagement, skilled reflection and the change of concepts on strengthening governance and repositioning the civil service for larger effectiveness.
He confused that efficient governance relied on the civil service’s skill to present goal recommendation, implement insurance policies effectively and stay accountable to residents.
Earlier, the National Chairman of CORFEPS, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, mentioned the council was established to allow retired Permanent Secretaries and former Heads of the Civil Service to contribute their expertise, skilled information and institutional reminiscence to nationwide improvement.
“Our retirement from formal office does not diminish our commitment to Nigeria. Rather, it provides an opportunity to reflect on our collective experience, draw lessons from our service and offer constructive advice on matters of public policy and administration. This commitment is captured in our motto: ‘Continuing Patriotic Service’,” he mentioned.
Ahmed added that CORFEPS continued to organise coverage dialogues, seminars and conferences, conduct analysis and supply recommendation on issues of nationwide significance.
“We believe that those who have served the nation at the highest levels of public administration have a responsibility to make their accumulated knowledge available to succeeding generations,” he mentioned.
