ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s federal government has launched a nationwide personnel audit and skills gap analysis aimed at overhauling the civil service and aligning its workforce with modern governance demands.
The initiative, known as the PASGA Project, is being led by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. It seeks to produce a detailed profile of public sector employees to guide future recruitment, training, and deployment strategies.
Officials say the project will identify critical skills shortages in areas such as information technology, project management, public finance, and data analysis. The findings are expected to inform targeted capacity-building programs across ministries and agencies.
The audit will also support the digitalization of human resource systems through the Human Resource Management Information System, a platform designed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enable strategic redeployment of personnel.
The PASGA Project is being coordinated by a steering committee chaired by Head of Service Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, with implementation overseen by Permanent Secretary Dr. Danjuma Kalba of the Common Services Office.
Speaking at a sensitization event in Abuja, Walson-Jack described the project as a milestone in the government’s 2021–2025 civil service reform strategy, which emphasizes innovation, talent optimization, and institutional excellence.
She said outdated and fragmented personnel records had long hindered effective planning and decision-making, adding that PASGA would establish a transparent, data-driven framework for managing public sector talent.
Walson-Jack praised the implementation team and urged consultants to maintain high standards of professionalism and technical accuracy. She assured them of full support from senior management throughout the process.
She also called on permanent secretaries, directors, and staff across government departments to actively support the initiative, emphasizing that PASGA is not just an audit but a transformative reform tool.
“This exercise signals our commitment to building a civil service that is merit-based, future-ready, and accountable,” Walson-Jack said. “Together, we can create a model of public administration that reflects the values and aspirations of a modern Nigeria.”
