The year 2025 has been an absolute whirlwind for the Lagos State Public Service, marking a new era of professional growth and smart reforms. It’s undeniable, this year will be etched in history for its massive capacity-building programs and innovative changes across the board. Spearheaded by the dynamic Honourable Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, and the ever-efficient Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun, the Ministry of Establishments and Training has truly set the bar sky-high for employee development. They didn’t just do a little bit of training; they went all out!
- Over 120 diverse training programs delivered in just eight months.
- Every professional stream, from Admin to Tourism, got a chance to upgrade their skills.
- Key areas covered: leadership, digital skills, ethics, communication, and service delivery.
- Significant funding boosts for Lagos State higher institutions.
- Streamlined processes for staffing in critical sectors like LASTMA and health.
- Salary adjustments for healthcare workers to boost morale.
Lagos State’s Skill Revolution: Training for Everyone!
From the get-go, the Ministry made sure no one was left behind. Whether you’re an Administrative Officer, a Judicial Officer, an Engineer, a Public Affairs Officer, or even a Tourism Officer, you’ve had the chance to brush up, relearn, and renew your skills. They’ve rolled out some seriously well-thought-out training sessions. In a staggering eight months, the Ministry pulled off over 120 different training programs. Can you believe it? That’s a record nobody saw coming in Lagos State’s public service history. And these weren’t just any trainings; they were super impactful!
What Was on the Curriculum?
The topics were as varied as they were essential. Think top-notch leadership and management skills, navigating the world of digital transformation, understanding ethics in public administration, mastering communication and emotional intelligence, improving service delivery, and getting a grip on project management. Each session was designed to make our public servants sharper, more efficient, and way more productive in their daily tasks. It’s all about building a public service that’s ready for the future.
The Visionaries Behind the Movement
The Honourable Commissioner, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, put it perfectly: investing in people is the government’s core belief. He stated, “The Lagos State Government, under Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, knows that people are the real engine of progress. These trainings aren’t just for show; they’re part of a solid plan to make our service delivery top-notch through knowledge, new ideas, and professionalism. We’ve trained more folks this year than ever before, and you can already see the difference in how smoothly things are running, how efficient everyone is, and how much more motivated our staff are.”
The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun, added that the success is down to a clear strategy that blends vision with smart planning. She described the whole experience as both rewarding and transformative. “Seeing training become a culture, not just an event, has been amazing. Our Ministry’s schedule was packed, with everything from face-to-face workshops to online sessions and technical courses. But the energy from our officers? Inspiring! It shows a team that’s genuinely eager to learn and be the best.”
Real Stories, Real Impact
Don’t just take our word for it! The civil servants themselves have stories to tell. Mrs. Temitope Dawodu from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture called her training on customer service and cultural management an “eye-opener” that really made her understand modern tourism service. Mr. Jamiu Hassan, an Administrative Officer, said his leadership development course “reshaped his mindset about responsibility and ethics.” And Mr. Babatunde Adekoya, a Public Affairs Officer, found the communication and media training boosted his writing skills and confidence in public interactions. The general vibe? These trainings have been game-changers, filling knowledge gaps, boosting output, and giving everyone a stronger sense of purpose.
Looking Ahead: Digital Learning and Stable Funding
To keep this learning momentum going, the State’s Learning Management System (LMS) is getting a serious upgrade. Even though it had some hiccups before, its relaunch will offer a super smooth online platform for continuous learning. This means more civil servants can access self-paced, tech-driven training, supporting the government’s goal of a modern, knowledge-driven public service.
Supporting Education and Essential Services
But it’s not just about training! The Ministry has also been busy managing establishment matters. A big win was increasing the monthly grants for four state-owned higher institutions: Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED). This shows the government’s commitment to solid funding for higher education.
On top of that, they’ve streamlined the process for replacing staff in vital agencies like the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the health sector. Now, when someone leaves, their position can be filled quickly without needing a new approval each time. This keeps operations running smoothly and prevents critical sectors from losing staff.
Caring for Our Healthcare Heroes
The government is also making sure our healthcare workers feel valued. Salary adjustments for medical and dental staff have been implemented, which has definitely boosted morale and strengthened the capacity of health institutions to provide excellent care. It’s all about ensuring quality service delivery for everyone in Lagos.
A Ministry at the Heart of Progress
The Ministry also plays a crucial role in managing the State’s personnel budget, making sure everything aligns with staff needs, wage commitments, and future recruitment plans. This ensures the government makes smart decisions about its workforce.
Through all these efforts, the Ministry of Establishments and Training has acted as the central hub for human resource development and management in Lagos State. The achievements of 2025 are just the beginning, paving the way for a public service that’s efficient and competes on a global level. Training and excellent service delivery go hand-in-hand, and when public servants are empowered, government works better, policies are implemented more effectively, and citizens benefit from a responsive and capable public service.
Balogun is the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training.