The Federal Government has inaugurated the 13th Cohort of the Mandatory Training Programme (MTP) for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Federal Agencies and Parastatals, a strategic capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening leadership integrity, accountability, and citizen-focused service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, declared the programme open at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo-Badagry, emphasizing that leadership in public service is a trust anchored on transparency and measurable results.
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Represented by Professor Simon Akaayar, the SGF charged the CEOs to align their institutional goals with national priorities, stating that “leadership in the public service is not defined by position but by tangible impact.”
In her keynote address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, highlighted the programme’s theme, “Lead Boldly: Reform. Deliver. Renew,” as reflective of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP-25).
She said the training reinforces government’s commitment to institutional reform and results-oriented leadership, urging participants to serve as “vanguards of public trust” and ensure effective implementation of national policies.
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“Our Service must transition decisively from activity reporting to impact reporting,” Mrs. Walson-Jack stressed, calling for stronger accountability frameworks and results-based management within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The HCSF also commended the SGF for his support, noting that his participation demonstrates the Presidency’s commitment to cohesive governance. She outlined ongoing capacity-building initiatives under the ONCE-K System, including the Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (LEAD-P) and the Federal Civil Service Online Academy, both designed to produce an ethical, digitally proficient public workforce.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, Member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, applauded the Federal Government for sustaining its investment in leadership development and commended ASCON’s contributions to public service excellence.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood, noted that the MTP is carefully structured to equip new CEOs with practical knowledge of governance, public finance, and performance management within the context of the Constitution, Public Service Rules, and Financial Regulations.
The Director-General of ASCON, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, described the MTP as a flagship intervention for leadership renewal, disclosing that its modules cover Strategic Leadership, Public Financial Management, Ethics, Digital Transformation, and Performance Accountability.
Similarly, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agodi, in his goodwill message, emphasized the need for continuous learning among leaders navigating complex governance and economic challenges. He urged participants to embody excellence, integrity, and accountability in public administration.
The Federal Government’s Mandatory Training Programme remains a cornerstone initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to empower public sector leaders to deliver tangible results, strengthen institutional performance, and uphold the principles of good governance.