ASCON Must Lead Nigeria’s Public Service Transformation – DG Funke Adepoju

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Funke Adepoju 

The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) is poised to reclaim its role as Nigeria’s foremost institution for public sector excellence, declared Mrs. Funke Adepoju, the newly appointed Director-General, during her inaugural at the Topo-Badagry, Lagos State.

Addressing a gathering of ASCON’s workforce, Adepoju paid tribute to the institution’s five-decade legacy of shaping Nigeria’s governance through leadership training. She acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, including her predecessor, Mrs. Cecilia Umaru Onyen, and commended the dedication of staff who have sustained ASCON’s mission despite challenges.  

“ASCON was created not just to train, but to transform governance,” Adepoju stated. “Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the strategic leadership of the Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, we must rise to meet the evolving demands of public service.”  

Adepoju emphasized that ASCON stands at a critical juncture where reform, innovation, and national relevance must converge. “Citizens demand results, governments seek solutions, and capacity is now the currency of credibility,” she declared. “We must ask ourselves: How will we honor ASCON’s founding purpose? How do we move beyond the letter of our mandate to its spirit?”  

The DG outlined her vision for an institution that fosters open dialogue, disciplined execution, and courageous leadership. She pledged to lead with humility, listening to staff insights while driving a culture of excellence.  

Adepoju’s speech marked a pivotal moment for ASCON, signaling a shift from routine operations to proactive nation-building. She called on staff to embrace the challenge, stating, “This is not just a meeting—it’s the beginning of a renewed ASCON, one that meets the demands of this moment and serves Nigeria with integrity.”  

As the event concluded, staff expressed optimism about the DG’s leadership, anticipating a revitalized ASCON that reclaims its place at the heart of Nigeria’s public sector transformation.