The Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria Chartered (ISMNC), on Thursday, expressed its readiness to partner with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in providing strategic leadership training and capacity building for senior-level public servants.
President and Chairman, Governing Board of the Institute, Mr Alex Ndudi Enebeli, said this when he led a delegation of the Institute’s officials on a courtesy visit to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack in Abuja.
He said the Institute which was founded in 2003 and chartered in 2023, is Africa’s premier institution dedicated to the strategic development of professionals and organisations.
Enebeli said the mission of the Institute is to advance knowledge and skills in strategic management, leadership, governance, entrepreneurship and innovation through research, education, training, certification and the induction and regulation of members.
He said the purpose of the visit was to seek the partnership of the Office of the Head of Civil Service for greater impact strategic leadership and policy implementation, saying, the office “as the hub of government operations, plays a critical role in the execution of government policies and programmes.”
According to him, the collaboration will be mutually beneficial, as it will help in strengthening both the office of the Head of Civil Service and the broader public service.
He said the Institute has identified three key areas of collaboration which include programme support; supporting the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021-2025 and public service professionalisation.
“At ISMNC, we are committed to delivering quality and result-oriented professional development. We believe in transformative innovation – not only through methodologies but through mindset change. Our aim is not just to respond to known challenges, but unlock new opportunities through strategic design and execution.
We prepare people to be flexible specialists. The world is changing so fast and only those who are flexible can meet up”, Enebeli said.
Responding, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack, expressed delight over the mission of the Institute, which she said aligns with that of her office.
“You know, we have so much in common, not only for me as an individual, but also the office itself. Because I see that much of what you are doing are things that this office actually is greatly involved in. And so, your vision of strategic management, leadership and governance, and innovation are critical to some of the key areas that we deal with in this office.
“Specifically, we have the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025, which is actually the strategy document housing the ongoing civil service reforms. And in this document, we have the six pillars of the reforms. And I would let you know that the very first pillar is capability building and talent management.
“And so I see that your vision resonates squarely with pillar one of our strategy documents. And so I listened carefully to all that you said and to the three key areas which you have identified for collaboration with this office. I’ll take them one at a time.
“You talked about programme support and the fact that you are offering to us a short course on leading strategic change. I think this is a good place to clap. Because without mincing words, yes, yes, and yes.
“Our vision actually is to tackle capability building from all angles. Right now, we’re in the process of procuring an e-learning platform. And as you mentioned, we chose that e-learning platform so that you are fully abreast of our activities.
“We have the SMART-P and LEAD-P programmes. At the moment, we are thinking of expanding pillar one to the extent that we will have a centre of excellence which will manage all the different programmes under pillar one. And so I’d like to appreciate your offer and to say we accept your offer and we will look into how we can expand it as time goes on”, she said.
She urged the Institute to provide her office with a contact person who will liaise with the permanent secretary, career management office, so they can work out the details of the different levels of collaboration.
Among members of the delegation from the Institute include, Mr Obitunde Obiyemi, Registrar and CEO; Dr Jummai Umar-Ajijola, Chair, Board of Fellows; Dr Otive Igbuzor, past President; Mr Adeyemi Mapaderun, member, Governing Board; Mrs Rachel Kotso, Chair, Abuja Chapter; Dr Vitalis Emeka Obi, Permanent Secretary, Budget and Dr Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary, Aviation.
The meeting also had in attendance, permanent secretaries, directors and other top officials from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
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