ASCON Urges Federal Executives to Enhance Policy Implementation
The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) has called on chief executives of federal government sub-national institutions and agencies to prioritize policy implementation, accountability, and measurable results in their roles. This appeal aims to strengthen the effectiveness of governance across various sectors.
Intensive Training Program for Public Sector Leaders
On Tuesday, ASCON hosted a program at its campus in Topo, Badagry, Lagos State, which brought together 40 chief executive officers and senior executives from federal agencies. This intensive executive learning experience is designed to enhance leadership capabilities, improve organizational performance, and foster results-oriented governance.
Empowering Leaders for Effective Governance
At the opening ceremony for the 14th cohort of the Mandatory Training Program (MTP) for Public Sector Leaders, ASCON Executive Director, Mr. Funke Femi Adepoju, emphasized that the initiative provides a strategic platform to equip public sector leaders with essential skills and tools needed to translate government policies into measurable outcomes.
Mandatory Training Program Approval
Adepoju clarified that this training is mandatory for chief executives before they can fully assume their duties, following the approval of the President and a directive from the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government. The program is considered crucial for aligning leadership with government objectives.
Enhancing Leadership and Performance Management
ASCON stands as the federal government’s primary management and development agency, offering programs that bolster participants’ capabilities in leadership, policy implementation, and performance management frameworks. The theme for the current cohort, “Leadership in Policy Implementation: From Mandates to Measurable Results,” underscores the importance of addressing the gap between policy formulation and effective execution.
Commitment to Leadership Excellence
The increase in participants from 14 chief executives in the previous cohort to 40 in the current program indicates a growing commitment to leadership excellence and capacity development within the federal public service. ASCON’s DG believes this trend reflects a positive shift toward prioritizing results-driven governance.
Encouraging Disciplined Leadership
Speaking on behalf of the Federation’s Civil Service Heads, Mrs. Nkiluka Jones-Nebo, Permanent Secretary for Career Management, urged participants to approach the training with discipline, openness, and a sincere commitment to fostering organizational change. She challenged executives to focus on execution over mere planning, with an emphasis on measuring leadership success by results rather than activities.
Importance of Values-Based Leadership
Jones-Nebo also spoke about the significance of values-driven leadership, noting that organizational culture is often influenced by leaders’ examples. Leadership, she asserted, is contagious; attributes such as discipline, empathy, and integrity demonstrated by leaders are likely to manifest within their teams.
Collaboration as a Key to Success
She called for increased collaboration among federal agencies, highlighting that no single agency can effectively achieve its mission in isolation. Participants were encouraged to return to their respective organizations with renewed dedication to performance, service delivery, and citizen-centered governance.
Valuable Insights for Effective Leadership
The Permanent Secretary acknowledged Mr. Adepoju’s role in repositioning ASCON as a pivotal institution for public sector reform, leadership development, and capacity building. On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Akter Pius Ukeima, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Shippers Council of Nigeria, remarked on the opening session’s valuable insights regarding the expectations placed on CEOs in driving policy implementation.
A Conducive Environment for Learning
Professor Ize Iyanmu Idia, Managing Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, praised ASCON as a conducive environment for learning and strategic thinking among managers. He highlighted that the program offers participants the chance to enhance their leadership capabilities and gain a deeper understanding of effective public service delivery.
