Olaopa Urges States To Embrace Digital HR Systems, Tackle JAPA-Induced Staff Loss

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, has urged state governments to adopt digital human resource systems and address staff losses caused by migration.

Olaopa gave the advice during the meeting of the 44th National Council of Civil Service Commissions held in Umuahia, Abia State.

The meeting resolved to reposition civil service commissions in Nigeria as a hope of professionalism in public service human resource management.

The theme of this year’s Council was “Repositioning Civil Service Commissions in Nigeria as a Hope of Professionalism in Public Service Human Resource Management.

The council reviewed memoranda from state commissions, advocating for comprehensive civil service reforms through technology application and institutionalized meritocracy.

Key resolutions include developing strategic plans, establishing strategy implementation coordination units, and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for falsifying records.

Olaopa urged state civil service commissions to adopt and implement a human resource management information system as soon as possible.

“We urge the federal civil service commission to develop critical success factors for pilot states where political support is evident, as in Abia State, for domesticating the strategic plan,” Olaopa said.

Olaopa noted concerns about political interference, nepotism, and staff retention, urging state governments to give civil service commissions a free hand to exercise their constitutional duties.

“We need to address staff retention in the face of the JAPA syndrome, improve remunerations, and provide a conducive work environment,” he said.

The council’s decisions aim to strengthen institutional capacity, operational efficiency, and governance culture across federal and state civil service commissions in Nigeria.

The council expressed appreciation to the Abia State government for hosting the meeting and commended the organizing committee for their efforts.

THE WHISTLER reports that at least one state is expected to be involved in the pilot rollout of the strategic plan across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Olaopa Urges States To Embrace Digital HR Systems, Tackle JAPA-Induced Staff Loss is first published on The Whistler Newspaper