Ogun Deepens Administrative Reforms with New Public Service Framework

In a decisive move that consolidates his administration’s commitment to reforming governance and strengthening institutional frameworks, Governor Dapo Abiodun, CON, has again set Ogun State on the path of administrative modernization with the unveiling of the reviewed Statutory Books and the newly introduced Induction and Orientation Manual for the Civil/Public Service. The event, held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, marked what the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya, MNIPR, described as a landmark in the administrative history of the Gateway State, symbolizing both continuity and progress in public service management.

The Head of Service, whose stewardship has focused on strengthening institutional discipline and operational coherence, said during his address that the Civil/Public Service remains the foundation upon which governance stands, and that its performance determines both the quality of service delivery and public confidence in government institutions. He explained that rules and procedures serve as the compass guiding the conduct of every officer, and where such rules become outdated or misaligned with modern realities, efficiency inevitably suffers. According to him, the comprehensive review of these statutory instruments is a deliberate effort to align the State’s administrative framework with evolving governance standards and global best practices.

The reviewed documents—the Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, and the newly introduced Induction and Orientation Manual—are, in his view, not just regulatory texts but strategic tools designed to promote professionalism, ethical consciousness, and accountability among public officers. Onasanya observed that over the years, several provisions in the existing statutory books had become obsolete and inconsistent with contemporary administrative reforms. While periodic circulars and internal memos had introduced incremental changes, they could not substitute for a holistic review capable of unifying practices across the entire service. He said the State Government’s decision to undertake this exercise underscored its determination to sustain a disciplined, fair, and responsive bureaucracy that reflects order and clarity in the discharge of official duties.

The Head of Service expressed deep appreciation to Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as gracious approval and financial backing for the review exercise, which he said reflected true leadership and genuine interest in strengthening the machinery of governance for better results. He noted that the Governor’s intervention reaffirmed his well-established reputation as a worker-friendly leader who believes that the strength of any administration lies in the capacity of its workforce to deliver efficiently and transparently. In the same vein, Onasanya acknowledged the foresight of his predecessor, Mr. Kolawole Peter Fagbohun, whose administrative insight gave rise to the idea of reviewing the statutory documents. He described Fagbohun’s initiative as a gesture of vision and continuity that laid the groundwork for what has now become a transformative reform milestone.

The Head of Service equally commended the committees that undertook the review of the documents for what he called diligence and technical competence displayed throughout the process. These committees, chaired respectively by Alhaji Kehinde Ogunfowodu for the Public Service Rules, Pastor Seye Senfuye for the Financial Regulations, and Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite for the Induction and Orientation Manual, were praised for their thoroughness and sense of duty. Onasanya said he was confident that posterity would hold their efforts in lasting esteem because of the enduring impact of the reforms they helped institutionalize.

In his remarks, he highlighted that the reviewed Statutory Books were designed as comprehensive reference materials to guide officers in the discharge of their responsibilities with precision and ethical discipline. He emphasized that the newly introduced Induction and Orientation Manual was particularly significant because it provides new entrants into the Civil Service with foundational knowledge to navigate the system confidently and professionally. He remarked that the manual would instil a culture of learning, accountability, and performance orientation that would sustain the long-term efficiency of the service.

Onasanya explained that the sensitization workshop accompanying the public presentation was a vital step toward ensuring that participants understood the contents and implications of the reviewed documents. He warned that knowledge without proper interpretation could easily lead to misapplication, adding that the workshop was therefore conceived to guarantee uniform understanding and compliance across all ministries, departments, and agencies. He encouraged officers to listen attentively, ask questions, and seek clarifications so that implementation could be consistent and effective throughout the service.

In articulating the broader vision behind the reform, the Head of Service reiterated that the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, remains dedicated to evolving a modern and professionally oriented Civil Service that matches the demands of contemporary governance. He said the administration would continue to introduce reforms that align its operations with global benchmarks, noting that a service guided by modern rules and continuous learning is the true reflection of a worker-centered agenda and the collective aspiration for a results-oriented government.

Beyond policy renewal, the initiative, according to analysts, underscores the administration’s long-term commitment to institutional continuity. The Governor’s decision to fund the review and the Head of Service’s methodical implementation reflect a governance philosophy that values structure, accountability, and sustainability over improvisation. By consolidating the rules that govern administrative conduct, Ogun State is reinforcing the principle that effective governance begins with a disciplined and competent civil service.

In his appreciation note to the Governor, Onasanya described the unveiling of the reviewed documents as yet another significant achievement of the Abiodun administration and a major boost to the ongoing reforms in the Civil/Public Service of the State. He observed that the Governor’s support clearly demonstrates visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to the continuous modernization of the civil service. He wrote that the reviewed Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations, and the new Induction and Orientation Manual would serve as invaluable guides for improved efficiency and professionalism across all levels of the Service, noting that the initiative aligns perfectly with the Building Our Future Together Agenda and reflects the Governor’s steadfast dedication to good governance and institutional development.

Onasanya appealed to Accounting Officers across all MDAs to organize step-down trainings within their establishments so that every officer, regardless of cadre or grade level, can understand and apply the new provisions. He cautioned that the Service cannot afford to continue operating on outdated norms and that knowledge dissemination at every level is essential to ensuring consistency and compliance. He urged officers to see rules and regulations not as obstacles but as safeguards for accountability, fairness, transparency, and discipline, adding that adherence to these guidelines would strengthen professionalism and public trust in government institutions.

As the Head of Service formally declared the sensitization workshop open, he commended everyone who contributed to the success of the process—the review teams, the Bureau of Establishments and Training, the Bureau of Service Matters, the Office of the Head of Service, and all stakeholders whose commitment ensured that the review exercise was completed successfully. He expressed conviction that the outcome of the review would reposition the Ogun State Civil/Public Service for greater efficiency and impact, consolidating its role as the foundation of good governance in the State.

Observers and policy analysts have since described the unveiling as a forward-looking intervention that not only modernizes Ogun State’s administrative framework but also deepens the culture of professionalism in public governance. By setting a clear standard for ethical conduct, procedural uniformity, and knowledge-based operations, the State has established a foundation for a public service capable of supporting long-term development goals.

In essence, the unveiling of the reviewed Statutory Books and the new Induction and Orientation Manual is not merely an administrative event but a reaffirmation of Ogun State’s belief in governance through structure, discipline, and learning. Under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s reform-driven vision and the strategic leadership of Head of Service Kehinde Onasanya, the State has demonstrated that the path to good governance begins with a well-equipped, ethically grounded, and future-ready public service. In the words of the Head of Service, a service guided by modern rules and continuous learning is indeed the true reflection of a worker-centered agenda and the collective aspiration for a results-oriented government—a vision now firmly taking root in Ogun State.

Tayo Mabeweje

Senior Special Assistant (Media)

Office of the Governor,

Ogun State