Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has warned that fear of career reprisals can prevent civil servants from giving honest advice to political leaders. This, he said, can potentially expose them to costly mistakes. Mustapha made this statement while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 colloquium of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries and Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Mustapha, who served as SGF from 2017 to 2023, emphasized that the strength of the civil service lies not in agreeing with political authorities but in its ability to provide candid advice, implement lawful decisions, and account transparently for results. He stressed that professional independence is essential to effective governance. This allows civil servants to identify risks, present evidence, and explain the likely costs and consequences of policy choices without fear.
The colloquium, themed “Navigating the Headwinds of Governance: Centrality of the Civil Service”, was opened by Vice President Kashim Shettima. He highlighted the need for a constructive relationship between political leaders and career civil servants. Shettima emphasized that public servants must uphold impartiality, integrity, and responsible management of public resources.
Vice President Shettima also stressed that political leaders should respect professional standards, value frank advice, and provide the clarity, resources, and authority required to implement policies. The Federal Government, he said, is shifting its focus from the number of policies announced and committees inaugurated to whether interventions solve problems and improve citizens’ lives.
CORFEPS National Chairman, Yayale Ahmed, noted that retired senior public servants have a responsibility to make their accumulated experience available to succeeding generations and contribute to stronger public administration. The colloquium also featured the unveiling of the CORFEPS Journal on Public Policy and Governance.
The CORFEPS Journal aims to document administrative experience, preserve institutional memory, and promote evidence-based policymaking. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, stated that ongoing reforms are aimed at building an efficient, productive, and citizen-centred service.
Abel emphasized that the effectiveness of governance depends significantly on the ability of the Civil Service to advise objectively, implement policies efficiently, and remain accountable to the citizens it serves. The event brought together stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen the civil service and improve governance in Nigeria.
Key points
- Former SGF Boss Mustapha warns that fear of career reprisals can prevent civil servants from giving honest advice to political leaders.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasizes the need for a constructive relationship between political leaders and career civil servants.
- The colloquium featured the unveiling of the CORFEPS Journal on Public Policy and Governance to promote evidence-based policymaking.
