Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reaffirmed the role of the public service as a cornerstone of meaningful development, stressing that a knowledgeable and future-focused bureaucracy remains central to his administration’s reform agenda.
Speaking at the opening of a Strategic Leadership and Management Course for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Parastatals, held at the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, the Governor, represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the public service “is the bridge between policy and the people.”
According to him, “This programme is not just academic — it is about practical leadership. The decisions you make today as top officers will define the Ogun State of tomorrow. We are building a service that is not only efficient but deeply transformative.”
Abiodun appreciated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona, for facilitating the establishment of the governance school, and commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the takeover of the institution by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
He added, “This collaboration reflects our long-term vision to position Ogun’s public service among the best in the country. We urge you to work with government in building a civil service that is not only result-driven but capable of driving strategic, sustainable change.”
The Head of Service in Ogun State, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, lauded the initiative as a vital investment in the future of public administration. “The Governor’s commitment to the continuous training and retraining of our workforce is commendable,” he said. “This strategic course will surely sharpen our vision and enhance service delivery.”
Echoing similar sentiments, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, noted that such capacity-building programmes are essential for any government seeking to transform public service. “Strategic leadership is a critical component of good governance. As public servants, we must be equipped with the right tools to respond to modern challenges,” he stated.
Delivering the royal message, the Awujale, represented by Princess Adetoun Adetona-Daramola, Chairperson of the NIPSS-OSKASOGS Board, emphasized the importance of the institute in shaping effective leadership across both public and private sectors.
The Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayodeji Omotayo, highlighted the necessity for strategic agility in leadership. “In today’s fast-changing world, leadership must be proactive and ready to adapt to emerging trends, especially in policy, governance, and development,” he noted.
Also speaking, the Director of NIPSS-OSKASOGS, Prof. Shola Adeyanju, described the course as a critical turning point for governance in Ogun State. “This programme will leave a lasting impact not just on the participants, but on the state’s overall governance structure,” he affirmed.
Chief Olu Okuboyejo, Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council and a retired Permanent Secretary, applauded the Governor’s foresight. “This is more than a training session — it is a bold step toward service transformation. Leadership is about action, not titles,” he said.
In their separate remarks, Engr. Adeniyi Adeola, Chairman of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, and Princess Iyabo Odulate, Chairman of the Association of Retired Heads of Service in the state, praised the Governor for prioritizing innovation in public service, describing the programme as a strategic masterstroke that will elevate the service to new heights.
