The immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has revealed that her greatest challenge in office was the resistance of civil servants to reforms. Speaking at a dinner held in her honor by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, she noted that civil servants were reluctant to embrace new initiatives, particularly those aimed at changing traditional practices.
She explained that convincing civil servants to adopt more efficient methods of operation was a significant hurdle, stating, “The initial reaction to any new idea is often resistance. Convincing them to accept our reforms was a daunting task.”
Dr. Yemi-Esan advised her successor to prioritize partnerships and collaboration, emphasizing that these were key to her own achievements, especially in driving digitalization within the civil service. She called for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors to advance civil service reforms.
“The partnerships, especially with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, were crucial. They provided both expertise and funding. Through continuous communication and engagement with various stakeholders, we were able to secure buy-in for our vision,” she said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended Dr. Yemi-Esan for her leadership and dedication. He also conveyed a message from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who praised her for her integrity and effective management during her tenure, noting that her retirement, free from scandal, was a commendable achievement.
