Lawrence Olaoye 
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack has inaugurated War Rooms for the six Pillars and Enablers of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP-25).
According to a press release issued by the Head of Information of the Service, Eno Olotu, the aim was to fast-track the implementation process of the plan ahead of its expiration by December, 2025.
“As we move towards the expiration of FCSSIP-25 by December 2025, it is extremely important for us to accelerate the implementation of the reform initiatives so as to ensure the achievement of the set targets”.
Walson-Jack, during the inauguration Thursday in Abuja, stated that the establishment of the War Rooms was a step in the right direction as it would help in ensuring that the right attention was given to each of the Pillars in order to achieve the strategic result of: improving staff competencies and skills; improving productivity and HR administration; developing a performance based and meritocratic environment; having well-motivated officers and having an innovative, value-driven and digitally transformed Civil Service.
The HCSF explained that there must be concerted efforts to accelerating the implementation process.
“It is to this end that we have decided to establish “War Rooms” for each of the six pillars of our Plan and its Enablers, underscoring the traction we seek to gain in the implementation of the Reforms.” she added.
According to the HCSF, a War Room was defined on Vocabulary.com as, “a room where strategic decisions are made” and noted that the term War Room alluded to the speed “we want to bring to bear in accelerating the implementation of FCSSIP25”.
“Our War Rooms will serve and operate as strategy and solution centres that will enable urgent attention to be paid to the various Pillars of the FCSSIP-25, ensure timely, accurate and well-coordinated implementation of the sub-initiatives through recommended activities and programmes that will be conducted Service-wide.
The HCSF appreciated the Permanent Secretaries who would lead the teams and all the members who have accepted to serve in this capacity, stating that “Your presence is a testament of our shared vision, your expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we track progress and identify areas of improvement to make informed decisions ultimately contributing to the transformation of our Civil Service into a model of excellence.”
In her welcome remarks earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO) in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Deborah Bako Odoh, stated that the war room initiative was a robust strategy that aligns with the vision for a world class civil service that contributes to National development.
She noted that the establishment of the war rooms was a crucial step in that direction. “As we approach the culmination of FCSSIP-25, the HCSF has introduced measures to accelerate the implementation of the key initiatives under the six pillars of the plan.” she added.
The Director, Civil Service Transformation, Mr Mohammed Gaji, in his vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the HCSF for her commitment towards repositioning the Civil Service for greater efficiency.
He also thanked the Permanent Secretary, SPSO, team members and development partners for their dedication and drive towards facilitating a process of change and transformation aimed at building a world class civil service.
The Terms of Reference of the War Rooms were: Ascertaining the current status of the progress being made towards the 2025 targets; adopting the revised Key Performance Indicators agreed on at the September 2024 Retreat of the Head of Service with the Permanent Secretaries (Service-wide).
“Others are; Identifying critical interventions necessary to accelerate the implementation of Reform initiativ
