Chukwuemeka Obua, the Comptroller of Immigration for Lagos State Border Patrol Command, Seme, has expressed concern over the lack of leadership succession and mentorship in Nigeria’s public service. During his pull-out ceremony, Obua stated that the absence of leadership succession is responsible for tenure elongation in the public service. He also stated that the dearth of mentorship programmes was responsible for a lack of capable hands to take over from retiring officers.

Obua stated that the issue of leadership succession was of utmost importance as there seemed to be no clear leadership succession plan, causing disruptions, and ultimately leading to tenure elongation. He argued that blaming the President for tenure elongation in public service was wrong, as the issue stems from the lack of capable and qualified officers who could replace retirees. He stressed that once a leader in public service can’t point to at least four people who can be groomed to occupy that position, it means he has failed and that is a problem.

According to Obua, senior officials in Nigeria’s public service used to be called super permanent secretaries, and stimulating mentorship programmes could produce similar worthy successors. He highlighted the need to orientate the public service towards reform, as prescription patronage and frequent rotations have not occurred, providing an unhealthy environment for mentoring.

Obua suggested that the public service’s poor condition could be attributed to a lack of reforms and questioned which permanent secretaries could be considered super permanent secretaries like the Udojis. Obua also referred to the Oronsanye report, which outlines ways to reform the public service to return it to its previous standard.

In conclusion, Obua warned that the current state of the public service could not be sustained and could lead to an inevitable collapse if actions are not taken promptly. Hence, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms.