Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a meeting with the leadership of the Federal Civil Service, expressed frustration over what he perceives as a slowdown in implementing his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda. He criticized the service for not implementing well-intended programmes and keeping timelines for approved policies in abeyance.
During the tense meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu admonished top civil servants, including the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation, and federal permanent secretaries. He urged them to double their efforts and offer suggestions whenever they have reservations about any policy, programme, or initiative.
Tinubu questioned the civil service's slow pace in carrying out people-oriented programmes, such as the N25,000 wage award to workers and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative (Pi-CNG). He also criticized the civil service's attitude towards reform packages aimed at creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Despite the reforms, which include providing single-digit loans, grants for businesses, and investments in gas-powered buses for mass transit, Tinubu noted that they have not been fully implemented by the civil service. He emphasized the need for the civil service to respond positively to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians and called for more meetings to address these issues in the future.
