In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2019, Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule of Nasarawa State pledged unwavering commitment across all areas of governance. Although he came from the private sector, he recognized the civil service as the engine room that implements government policies and programmes. He declared, “We will put a robust staff scheme for civil servants and a sustainable reward system for those who excel in service. Training and retraining of civil servants will be given high priority for efficient service delivery. Government views labour as partners in progress and will ensure harmonious government‑labour relations.”
Soon after assuming office as the state’s fourth civilian governor, a timetable for ministerial briefings was drawn up, beginning on 13 June 2019. During these briefings, ministries, departments, and agencies presented their challenges and prospects, giving the governor a clear picture of the civil service’s ground realities. Armed with this knowledge, Governor Sule established a 12‑member High‑Powered Committee chaired by retired permanent secretary Mr. Silas Jarumi Dachor to advise on civil‑service restructuring. Acting on the committee’s report, the administration reduced the number of ministries from 17 to 13 and merged several agencies and commissions to avoid duplication and redirect saved resources to development projects.
The Sule administration also cleared a long‑standing backlog of civil‑servant promotions, including those dating back to August 2021, while a new round of promotions is underway. To prepare staff for the state’s e‑governance drive, civil servants underwent three months of computer training and received laptops on a loan basis, making them integral to the new digital initiatives. Prompt salary payments have reinforced morale; for example, state civil servants received their December 2022 salaries on the 16th, allowing ample time for Christmas and New Year preparations. With the appointment of Acting Head of Service Abigail Nasu Waya, strict adherence to signing time books upon reporting to work has been enforced, fostering punctuality, honesty, and a strong work ethic.
Governor Sule’s policies have also empowered tertiary institutions—Isah Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic (Lafia), College of Agriculture Science and Technology (Lafia), College of Education (Akwanga), and College of Health Technology (Keffi)—to recruit additional staff. Casual employees in various ministries, departments, agencies, and commissions who have served for up to ten years have been confirmed and issued appointment letters. Upon taking office, the governor confirmed the appointment of nearly 3,000 teachers, providing them with job security, and announced plans to recruit an additional 1,000 teachers, with the application portal already open.
In his inaugural address, Governor Sule emphasized that “good governance is the mainstay and defining essence of democratic government.” He pledged to uphold the principles of good governance, establishing systems, processes, and institutions that enhance transparency, probity, and accountability in line with international best practices. The result has been a harmonious civil service; since his assumption of office, civil servants have not gone on strike. Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Comrade Yusuf Sarki Iya, recently described the labour‑government relationship as cordial, noting that a government that prioritizes workers’ welfare, training, and consistent commitment naturally fosters good relations.
In 2021, Governor Sule received the Zik Leadership Award for his exemplary leadership. For the past three years and ten months, the state has remained relatively peaceful, with the civil service effectively implementing government programmes and policies because its workforce is assured of welfare. These reforms have markedly improved service delivery across Nasarawa State.
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