Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has challenged public servants to become agents of transformation within government institutions, urging them to apply newly acquired skills to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence in governance.
The governor gave the charge during the graduation ceremony of 100 participants in the second cohort of the Public Service Accelerator Programme, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training.
Addressing the graduates, Sanwo-Olu said the true value of the programme would be measured not by certificates earned but by the impact participants make in their ministries, departments and agencies.
He urged the officers to embrace innovation, technology and problem-solving while seeking practical ways to improve government processes and make public institutions more responsive to citizens’ needs.
“The greatest thing to do is service. It is not only about being better than your colleagues, but about improving the process and developing the institution for the people,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the Lagos State Government has consistently prioritised workforce development because effective institutions depend largely on the competence and commitment of the people who run them.
Reflecting on his experience in public service, he said capacity-building initiatives have remained central to efforts aimed at modernising governance and improving efficiency within the civil service.
The programme was designed to develop a pool of highly skilled, motivated and innovative public officers capable of contributing meaningfully to the transformation of the Lagos State Public Service.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Dr Mariam Masha, encouraged participants to move beyond routine administrative practices and focus on developing practical solutions to governance challenges.
Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, said the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of public servants equipped to respond effectively to emerging demands in governance and service delivery.
