No compromise on your performance, FG tells Accountant-General, perm secs

The federal government has warned the newly appointed Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi and the 18 newly appointed permanent secretaries in the last nine months that Nigerians are watching their integrity and performances in contributing to national development. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther […]

The federal government has warned the newly appointed Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi and the 18 newly appointed permanent secretaries in the last nine months that Nigerians are watching their integrity and performances in contributing to national development.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said this over the weekend in Abuja at the induction ceremony for 19 inductees, including the AGF and the 18 permanent secretaries appointed between May 2024 and February 2025.

Daily Trust reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as the new AGF, as contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, who said that the appointment approved on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, takes effect from March 7th, 2025, the same day the former AGF Oluwatoyin Madehin formally retired from service.

“The importance of your roles cannot be overstated. You must always put your best foot forward and ensure that your conduct reflects the integrity, diligence, and excellence that this nation expects and deserves,” Walson-Jack said.

• Police arrest kidnappers, recover arms in Taraba
• Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ekiti, Kwara; victims cry for help

She noted that the gathering represents the renewal of our collective commitment to service, responsibility, and the development of the nation.

She said, “Your appointments are a testament to your dedication, professionalism and track record in the service of Nigeria. We thank you for your contributions to the civil service thus far and are confident that you will bring even greater value in your new roles.

“As permanent secretaries and as the Accountant-General of the Federation, you occupy strategic positions at the apex of Nigeria’s federal bureaucracy. You are the engine room of policy implementation, service delivery and administrative stewardship.”

The HCSF said that this year’s theme for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is “FCSSIP 25: Final Sprint –Delivering Results” and that the nation is in the final lap of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021–2025).

“It is our top priority to ensure that this blueprint is fully implemented, and the results are tangible and transformative. The slogan for this year – 2025: Year of Accomplishment – must guide your decisions, your leadership and your sense of urgency.

“Over the course of this three-day induction, you will benefit from a well-designed programme tailored to equip you for excellence. I urge you to pay close attention to the lectures and presentations delivered by our carefully selected resource persons. Their wealth of experience and insight is invaluable.

“But more importantly, I encourage you to put into practical use the knowledge you gain here to position your Ministries, Departments and Agencies for greater service delivery.

“Let this induction also serve as an opportunity to build strong working relationships, not only with one another, but with your teams. Foster open, respectful communication with your subordinates and superiors alike. Collaboration, mutual respect and unity of purpose are critical to our collective success,” Walson-Jack said.

Speaking earlier, Hajiya Fatima S.T. Mahmood, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office (CMO), OHCSF, who was also among the inductees, said that the theme of the induction, “Building Leadership and Strategic Management for Federal Permanent Secretaries”, marks a pivotal moment in their journey as public servants, especially for those of them stepping into these high offices at a time of ambitious reform in the Federal Civil Service—anchored on the FCSSIP 25 and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She said, “We are thankful to Mr. President for the trust placed in us and the opportunity to serve at this level of national responsibility. As the permanent secretary responsible for career management—and also a participant in this programme—I am deeply aware of the expectations that come with our appointments.

“The challenges are real, but so too are the possibilities to make a lasting impact through leadership rooted in purpose, vision and results. This year’s theme, reminds us that this programme is far more than an orientation. It is a strategic investment in institutional capacity and policy coherence across government.

“It is a moment to reflect, to engage and to align ourselves with the tools, values and perspectives necessary for effective governance,” Mrs Mahmood said.