Study Programme for Nigerian Officials

Nigerian permanent secretaries who attending a two-week Secretariat study programme in London, UK.

An efficient, transparent civil service will help build trust between citizens and governing bodies as well as improve the lives of citizens, Commonwealth-Secretary General Don McKinnon said.

He stressed that such a civil service "will go a long way to boost people's confidence in their government. That is why the Commonwealth Secretariat is closely involved with the strengthening and development of the civil service across the Commonwealth."

Mr McKinnon was addressing a meeting on 24 November 2004 with 18 Nigerian permanent secretaries attending a two-week Secretariat study programme in London, UK. The programme, 'Purpose and Propriety in Public Service', is organised by the Secretariat's Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) from 22 November to 5 December. Its main objective is to increase awareness of best practice in public service.

Inaugurating the training on 22 November, Alhaji M Yayale Ahmed, Head of the Civil Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said he expected the permanent secretaries to draw up an action plan for furthering Nigeria's ongoing public reform process. "The programme should open our eyes to the constant need to welcome ideas to improve cost-effectiveness in the use of resources, all of which have become increasingly scarce and costly."

Mr Ahmed called for continued co-operation between his Government and the Secretariat. "There is a sense of urgency in ensuring that the key interventions necessary for repositioning our public service are smoothly implemented.

"Fast-tracking the process requires the stepping-up of not only our collaboration and partnership, but broadening the spectrum of collaboration and participation so that … our reform programme will be enriched and its implementation made easier."

Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Christopher Kolade, echoed Mr Ahmed's call to participants to improve public service delivery in Nigeria.

The training programme is the first of three study visits for Nigerian permanent secretaries scheduled to take place in the UK within the next few months. It aims to provide insight into the role of procurement in managing public expenditure and risk. Participants will also endeavour to enhance their understanding of ways to promote ethical and professional conduct in the public sector.

Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of GIDD, emphasised that the programme is a pilot which will hopefully be rolled out to other Commonwealth countries.

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service - Issue 211 - 24 November 2004

Key Links:

• Governance and Institutional Development Division