Otamere Gladness 
Executive Secretary, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono,
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has called for a transformative shift in Nigeria’s public service to build a new generation of officers equipped to respond to rapid changes in governance, technology, and development challenges.
Echono made the call on Wednesday while receiving the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barr. Imeh Okon, and her delegation during a courtesy visit to the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja.
He noted that public institutions are operating in an era defined by fast-paced disruptions and evolving public expectations, adding that the civil service must evolve beyond routine administration to actively drive national development.
“We need a core of officers who can respond to disruptions and elevate the quality of public service to meet society’s changing needs,” Echono said. “There has been a level of disquiet about whether the public service is meeting its obligations. It must become an instrument for facilitating rapid economic and social development.”
The TETFund Chief highlighted capacity development as central to public service reform, noting that the Fund has consistently invested in staff training to strengthen institutional performance and decision-making. He also pointed to TETFund’s collaboration with PSIN and JAMB to digitise administrative systems, including the adoption of real-time paperless promotion examinations.
Responding, PSIN Administrator, Barr. Okon expressed readiness to deepen partnerships with TETFund on leadership development, compliance training, and pre-retirement planning. She outlined new PSIN frameworks, including SMART-P and LEAD-P, designed to equip civil servants with core competencies and prepare emerging leaders for higher responsibilities.
She also proposed strengthening linkages between academic research and public policy, noting, “Policy should be proactive, not reactive. We aim to turn research into solutions that guide governance and service delivery.”
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Korede Abdullah 
Chukwu Obinna 
Oluwatobi Adu 