The Federal Government, acting through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has engaged Philips Consulting and other human resource firms to conduct a comprehensive verification of civil service personnel records.

According to an internal memo signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, and obtained by a correspondent on Monday in Abuja, the exercise is scheduled to run from October 16 to November 14, 2025.

The verification is specifically aimed at updating personnel records, identifying skills gaps within the civil service, and supporting wider workforce reforms. It will be conducted across all ministries, departments, and agencies, including federal offices in the diaspora.

The memo, titled “Verification Exercise,” partly reads: “The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation announces the commencement of a comprehensive verification exercise across the federal civil service. Conducted by the OHCSF in partnership with Philips Consulting and other human resources firms, this exercise will verify and update personnel records, identify skills and capacity gaps, and support workforce planning and reforms. All civil servants are enjoined to cooperate fully by presenting themselves for verification and providing accurate information as required.”

This exercise follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive Personnel and Salary System Governance Audit across the federal service to enhance professionalism and improve service delivery.

The audit is expected to help develop a more agile, competent, and responsive workforce. Walson-Jack described the initiative as a foundational reform project under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025.

She explained the value of the project, stating: “This project will give us what we have long needed — a credible and verifiable personnel database that captures not just numbers, but also skills, competencies, and workforce distribution across ministries, departments, and agencies.She noted that the data gathered from the exercise would support evidence-based planning, targeted training, strategic deployment, and transparent succession planning. She added the future benefit of the data, saying: “With it, we can direct capacity building where it is most needed and plan for the next generation of civil servants.”

The HCSF further explained that the outcome of the verification would inform future decisions on recruitment, promotions, postings, training, and succession across the federal civil service.