Yemi-Esan: My Biggest Challenge in Service Was Workers’ Resistance to Reforms

• Folasade Yemi-Esan highlighted that resistance from civil servants to reforms was her greatest challenge during her tenure as Head of Service
• She emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to advance civil service reforms and enhance digitalization efforts

Folasade Yemi-Esan, the immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has revealed that the greatest challenge she faced during her tenure was the resistance of civil servants to reforms. Speaking at a dinner held in her honour by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation in Abuja, Yemi-Esan explained that many civil servants strongly resisted changes, especially when shifting away from outdated methods.

“Convincing them to accept a better way of doing things was a mountainous challenge,” she said. “The initial reaction to anything new is usually resistance, and getting them to accept our reforms was difficult.”

Yemi-Esan further emphasized that collaboration played a crucial role in advancing the digitalization of the civil service. She called for more understanding and cooperation between the public and private sectors to improve civil service reforms.

She credited partnerships, especially with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, for helping facilitate the reforms. “They provided both personnel expertise and funding,” she acknowledged.

The Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Yemi-Esan for her leadership and commitment to reform. He also conveyed a message from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who commended Yemi-Esan for her dedication and effective management during her time in office.

Yemi-Esan expressed gratitude for her tenure’s success, attributing much of it to divine help, partnerships, and effective communication with various stakeholders.