Lagos demands renewed integrity, discipline from Public Servants

The Lagos State Government has called on public servants to renew their commitment to integrity, professionalism, and the core ethics that define effective governance, warning that service to citizens must be anchored on discipline and accountability.

Speaking during a one-day in-house training organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, said the state’s progress depends on a dedicated and value-driven workforce that fully understands its role in serving the public interest.

The training, themed “Basic Knowledge, Norms and Ethics of the Public Service for Clerical Officers, Drivers, Cleaners, Security and Ad-hoc Staff,” was organised in collaboration with Alpha Glory Consulting to strengthen work ethics and enhance productivity among staff.

Represented by the Director of Economic Intelligence, Mr. Alao Akinkunmi, Mrs. Ojo described public service as a moral contract between the government and the people, stressing that the behaviour and attitude of every civil servant directly affect public trust.

“Our actions and conduct reflect the image of the Lagos State Government. We must consistently demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and respect for the values that guide the public service,” she said.

She noted that the workshop provided a platform for staff to reassess their responsibilities, identify gaps, and share ideas that would foster a culture of excellence within the ministry.

“By deepening our understanding of the service’s core values, we can strengthen teamwork, improve service delivery, and drive sustainable development across the state,” she added.

Earlier, the Director of Administration and Human Resource, Mr. Ademola Awolesi, who coordinated the training, said the exercise was a deliberate investment in the professional growth of staff.

He reminded participants that the resources used for the training could have been channelled into other needs such as medical supplies, underscoring the government’s commitment to staff development.

“You must take this training seriously and make the most of it. The facilitators here are libraries of knowledge-learn, ask questions, and apply what you gain in your daily work,” Awolesi urged.

He commended the facilitators, Mr. Michael Dawodu, a retired Permanent Secretary, and Mr. Yinka Kilanko, for their depth of expertise and contributions to public service capacity building.

Participants, numbering in their hundreds, expressed gratitude to the ministry’s leadership for the initiative and called for such training programmes to be held regularly to keep workers motivated, skilled, and aligned with the state’s vision of efficient service delivery.