Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to enhancing the efficiency of the civil and public service sectors. In a recent meeting with the leadership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), led by its President and Chairman, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, Makinde underscored the importance of continuous professional development for civil servants, positioning it as a cornerstone of his administration’s policies.
During the meeting, held at the governor’s office, Makinde highlighted his commitment to training and retraining civil and public servants to improve their performance and ensure effective service delivery.
He noted that since assuming office, his administration has prioritized the professional growth of civil servants, integrating it into their career advancement strategy to bolster their capacity for executing state duties efficiently.
Governor Makinde also elaborated on the state’s appointment policy for Permanent Secretaries, explaining his administration’s 80/20 principle. “We ensure that 80 percent of appointments are based purely on merit, with the remaining 20 percent given special consideration,” Makinde said.
He emphasized that the special consideration aspect accounts for factors such as geopolitical representation and religious diversity, while merit remains the primary criterion for selection.
He added, “I rarely know the individuals recommended for these positions. It’s all about their qualifications. We sometimes consider balancing representation across the geopolitical zones. If there’s a gap in representation from an area like Ibarapa, we look for the most qualified candidate from that zone. We also address religious diversity where necessary, but the merit principle is the guiding rule.”
Makinde’s approach to recruitment reflects a broader shift in policy from previous administrations, where appointments often favored non-merit-based selections. He shared that this merit-driven approach was first tested during his first term with the recruitment of teachers, resulting in improved work ethics and performance among the selected candidates. “The 80 percent merit-based hires have shown exceptional dedication, making it evident that the policy benefits the civil service as a whole,” he remarked.
The governor assured ICSAN of the state’s support for its ongoing building project and highlighted the government’s inclusive employment policy. “We do not discriminate. As long as your members are qualified, they will undergo a transparent and rigorous selection process. If specific cases arise where qualified candidates are overlooked, we are open to reviewing them within our 20 percent special consideration window,” Makinde explained.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ekundayo praised Governor Makinde’s commitment to people-oriented governance and his focus on transparency and merit in civil service reforms. She called for increased collaboration between the state government and ICSAN, particularly in developing a robust framework for training civil and public servants to enhance service delivery.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, and the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, along with other top government functionaries. The discussions underscored the administration’s commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and efficiency within the civil service, with a focus on merit-based recruitment and capacity building.
