Public service as the engine room of government that is also responsible for initiating and sustaining reforms, there is need for Nigeria’s public service to be future-ready for the country to compete favourably with others, the Director General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, Mrs Funke Adepoju, has said. Mrs Adepoju said this in Lagos on Saturday while making presentation at the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Agenda 2025 Alumni Up-skilling Programme. She identified six major priorities for future-ready public service which included; digital transformation and literacy; equipping it with digital tools to enhance service delivery; collaborative governance; expanded partnerships between public and private sectors; policy alignment and plugging into the vision and developmental objectives of government.
She spoke during a session titled “Change management in the public service, The role of stakeholder engagement, negotiations and lobbying.” The session focused on how public sector leaders can manage resistance, promote reforms, and influence governance outcomes through collaborative and transparent approaches. Describing the public service as “the engine room of government,” Adepoju emphasized that change is both a transition and a transformation, which must begin with the mindsets and attitudes of people. If we remain where we are, then there is a problem,” she warned. Change doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it requires strategic negotiation, clear communication, and genuine public interest.”
Mrs. Adepoju shared a real-life example of how she navigated and resolved a long-standing regulatory challenge involving a multinational bottling company. By engaging stakeholders for over six months, focusing on public health and sustainability, and presenting clear data on the environmental risks of unregulated abstraction, she was able to achieve compliance without conflict. “Lobbying is not manipulation; it is a legitimate tool for public sector reform when driven by facts and aligned with the greater good,” she said. The ASCON DG proposed a practical framework for stakeholder engagement using the 5Ws and 2Hs approach: What, Why, When, Where, Who, How and How much. She said that this structure enables targeted communication, ensures alignment of interests, and fosters collective responsibility.
During the questions and answers session, Mrs. Adepoju offered advice on dealing with internal resistance, maintaining focus amidst political transitions, and navigating challenges without bitterness.
“Document your efforts. Speak with the file. Use diplomacy and facts. A ‘no’ today can become a ‘yes’ tomorrow with persistence and patience.” She concluded by encouraging a values-based approach to leadership and change, affirming that every public servant can drive transformation by choosing courage, collaboration, and strategic action. The session was attended by participants from across Nigeria’s MDAs and development partners. It also featured Prof. Enase Okonedo, the Vice Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos who shared additional insights on stakeholder mapping and emotional intelligence in policy implementation. The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s Agenda 2025 initiative aims to build a new generation of public sector leaders equipped with tools for governance innovation and institutional reform.
Nigeria public service can be made to be future-ready—Adepoju ASCON DG
