In a renewed push to strengthen public sector performance across Nigeria, the Oyo State Government has trained 130 civil servants as part of ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery and institutional efficiency.

The training programme, organised by the Ministry of Establishments and Training, brought together participants from five different cadres for a three-day capacity-building workshop held at the Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre in Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Professor Saliu Adelabu, described the initiative as part of a broader reform agenda aimed at repositioning the state civil service to meet modern governance demands. He announced plans to expand the training to cover all cadres under a new initiative tagged “Project 360 Degree,” designed to ensure inclusive and continuous professional development.

The Commissioner noted that Governor Seyi Makinde is working to restore the training centre to its status as a leading public service institute, not only in the South-West but across Nigeria. He highlighted ongoing infrastructural upgrades and increased budgetary allocation for staff training as evidence of the administration’s commitment to institutional reform.

He further emphasised that investment in workforce development remains central to sustainable governance nationwide, noting that Oyo State’s approval of an N80,000 minimum wage effective January 2025 positions it among the leading states in workers’ remuneration. According to him, prioritising regular salary payments, pensions, gratuities, and structured training strengthens morale and boosts productivity in the public sector.

“This administration recognises that a motivated and well-trained workforce is the engine of national development,” he stated, adding that civil servants must be equipped to compete effectively in an increasingly dynamic public and private sector environment.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Alade Bello, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve operational efficiency and service delivery, stressing that measurable performance improvements are expected following the workshop.

The Executive Secretary of the training centre, Mrs Stella Okedum, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to designing impactful programmes aligned with global best practices in public administration.

The initiative reflects a growing recognition across states that strengthening the civil service through structured capacity-building is critical to improving governance outcomes and accelerating national development.