The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has called on state governments to accelerate the adoption of digital human resource systems to curb the increasing loss of personnel triggered by the JAPA migration trend.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the 44th National Council of Civil Service Commissions in Umuahia, Abia State, Olaopa warned that continued reliance on outdated administrative practices would weaken the capacity of state civil services to retain skilled manpower.

He said the council’s theme — “Repositioning Civil Service Commissions in Nigeria as a Hope of Professionalism in Public Service Human Resource Management” — underscored the urgency of reforming the system through technology and strict adherence to merit.

According to him, state commissions must immediately deploy Human Resource Management Information Systems (HRMIS) to enhance transparency, professionalism and data integrity across the service.

The meeting reviewed several memoranda from state commissions and resolved to push for comprehensive public service reforms anchored on technology, institutionalised meritocracy and improved governance culture.

Key resolutions include the development of strategic plans, the creation of strategy-implementation coordination units, and enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy for records falsification.

Olaopa also urged the federal commission to establish clear success indicators for pilot states, particularly those where political support for reform is already strong, such as Abia.

He expressed concern over rising political interference, nepotism and the struggle to retain competent personnel, stressing the need to give civil service commissions the autonomy required to effectively discharge their constitutional duties.

“We must tackle staff retention in the face of the JAPA syndrome, improve remuneration, and ensure a conducive work environment,” he said.

The council commended the Abia State Government for hosting the meeting and appreciated the organising committee for its effort. One state from each geopolitical zone is expected to pilot the implementation of the new strategic plan.