The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched an innovative capacity-building initiative aimed at cultivating dynamic leadership among young civil servants for superior public service delivery. During the inaugural session of the FCT Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (FCT LEAD-P) in Abuja on Friday, Head of FCT Civil Service, Grace Adayilo, revealed that the programme is one of three cornerstone initiatives under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) for 2020–2025.
Targeting high-potential civil servants at grades 10 to 14, the FCT LEAD-P is meticulously designed to attract, develop, and empower these emerging leaders. Adayilo emphasized that this transformative programme is critical for robust succession planning and the broader metamorphosis of the civil service, aiming to equip at least 100 officers each year with not only essential knowledge and skills but also resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to a vision of public service excellence.
The initiative received high praise from FCTA leaders, with Permanent Secretary Babatunde Ajayi describing it as a pivotal gateway to both self-discovery and professional evolution, destined to create an elite cadre of civil servants. Acting Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, noted that this groundbreaking programme—heralded as a first in FCTA history—was introduced to bridge critical gaps in service delivery identified through extensive baseline research. Out of 975 applications, only 100 officers will be handpicked for an intensive seven-month training regimen, designed to prepare them for future leadership roles as directors, permanent secretaries, or heads of service across various FCTA departments.
This bold initiative, championed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s visionary leadership, sets a new benchmark in public administration by fostering a culture of continuous self-development and transformative leadership.
