Head Of Cvil Service Tasks MDAs On QMS

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR has received an International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certificate on behalf of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

This connotes that the OHCSF has fulfilled all requirements of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), necessitating the award by the International Independent Certification Authority – the Management Systems Certification body (MSECB) MSECB, Canada. It also makes the Office, the first and currently the only core MDA to achieve this feat of becoming ISO certified within the public sector.

At the presentation ceremony held on Monday 30th January, 2023, in Abuja, Dr. Yemi-Esan expressed delight that the OHCSF is to henceforth be globally recognised as a Centre of Excellence. She noted that the ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification is the world’s most recognised QMS standard that provides the framework and guidance needed to help organisations, consistently, meet stakeholders’ expectations, regulatory requirements, as well as demonstrate continuous improvement.

She opined that the certification of the OHCSF’s work processes empowers it to continuously provide quality, innovative, efficient and people-centred services in accordance with International Standards and Recommended Practices (SRPs).

The Head of Service added that compliance with the ISO 9001:2015 means that standards are maintained throughout the three-year certification cycle. She however emphasized that the certification is not an end in itself, but the means to achieve continuous service quality improvement”.

She therefore urged staff in the OHCSF to take full advantage of the Certification in the realisation of the vision of transforming into a world-class Service. She further encouraged other MDAs to take a cue, so as to move the Service to greater heights of excellence.

Speaking earlier before presenting the certificate, the Managing Director, Digital Jewels Africa (the Authorized Vendor), Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa, commended the OHCSF for the laudable achievement of being admitted into the global ISO 9001:2015 QMS family.

She stated that given the centrality of the OHSCF to the Civil Service, its ability to streamline and simplify its processes to systematically imbibe a quality assurance philosophy that delivers high quality services to its stakeholders was laudable. She further described the development as a game changer for the entire Service and the nation, as a whole.

In their goodwill messages at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Andrew Adejo and Alh. Ismaila Abubakar, respectively applauded the Head of Service for her tenacity of purpose. They enjoined other MDAs to follow suit by getting ISO certified, in order to positively move the Service forward.

Also in his remarks, the representative of the Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mr. Pattison Boleigha, expressed optimism that with ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification of processes in the Civil Service, Nigeria is on its way to greatness.