Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved a high-level executive training programme for Permanent Secretaries and top management officers in the state’s civil service at the Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (OSKASOGS), located within Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye.
The programme will be coordinated by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, which now operates the institute.
The State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, confirmed the development, emphasizing that the initiative underscores Governor Abiodun’s commitment to strengthening governance through capacity building.
“This intensive one-week training will equip Permanent Secretaries, Principals-General, General Managers, and other top-tier officers with critical leadership and policy formulation skills,” he stated.
He recalled that during discussions with the Director of the School, Prof. Sola Adeyanju, Governor Abiodun affirmed NIPSS as Nigeria’s premier institution for high-level strategic policy training.
“The Governor made it clear that Ogun State will fully leverage the presence of NIPSS to enhance governance efficiency,” Onasanya added.
Governor Abiodun also acknowledged the contributions of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, in establishing the School of Governance Studies, as well as the Federal Government for approving its takeover by NIPSS.
“This institution is not just a gift to Ogun State but a significant asset for the entire South West and Nigeria at large,” he was quoted as saying.
Prof. Adeyanju praised Governor Abiodun’s vision, describing him as a leader dedicated to transformative governance.
“The presence of NIPSS in Ogun State is now firmly established, thanks to this initiative,” he remarked.
He further noted that the School’s foundation by Oba Adetona was groundbreaking. “The Federal Government’s decision to entrust NIPSS with its operation is a testament to its strategic importance in shaping governance and leadership in Nigeria,” he added.
The Director assured that NIPSS would bring its vast expertise to bear in delivering high-quality training, research, and policy development. “With a network of world-class resource persons, we are poised to position Ogun’s civil service among the best in the country,” he stated.
Expressing confidence that other South West states would adopt similar initiatives, Adeyanju described the programme as a model for effective governance.
The training for Permanent Secretaries is scheduled to commence in the second week of April, with additional sessions for civil servants on Grade Levels 13-17 under a structured curriculum developed by NIPSS-OSKASOGS.
