The Presidency, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has announced the commencement of a comprehensive Verification Exercise across the Federal Civil Service as part of efforts to reposition the sector for excellence.
According to a statement issued by the OHCSF, the exercise is being conducted in partnership with Phillips Consulting and other Human Resources firms to verify and update personnel records, identify skills and capacity gaps, and support workforce planning and reforms across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“All Civil Servants are enjoined to cooperate fully by presenting themselves for verification and providing accurate information as required,” the statement read. It emphasized that the verification covers all Federal Civil Servants, including Pool Officers in MDAs, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies, Federal Secretariats, and offices in the states, as well as officers in the diaspora.
The OHCSF noted that the Personnel and Skills Gap Analysis Exercise (PASGA) is designed to be transparent, participatory, and confidential. Tagged “Building Skills, Closing Gaps,” the exercise is scheduled to run from 15th October to 14th November 2025.
The initiative follows a presidential directive aimed at enhancing service delivery across the Federal Civil Service. The OHCSF clarified that the exercise “is not a retrenchment or witch-hunt process,” but rather a means of identifying skill gaps for proper alignment and training needs.
To ensure the process runs smoothly, civil servants are advised to follow five key steps outlined by the OHCSF.
Step one, according to the circular, is to stay informed. “Pay attention to official circulars, internal memos, and visit official social media handles and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s website. Take note of verification dates, time, venues, and required documents,” it stated.
Step two requires workers to gather all necessary documents, including educational qualifications, letters of first appointment and confirmation, gazette of appointment, last promotion letter, current staff ID card, last payslip, IPPIS, NIN, BVN, NHIS, NHF, TIN, and PEN numbers. Both photocopies and originals will be needed for sighting.
The third step advises civil servants to ensure the accuracy of their personal records. “Check that personal details such as name, date of birth, grade level, and IPPIS number are consistent across all documents. Correct any discrepancies with HR before the exercise,” the OHCSF added.
Step four directs officers to attend the physical verification exercise at their designated verification centers. They are to submit all required documents for review and clearance.
The fifth step involves the skills gap analysis and training needs assessment, comparing current performance with desired goals to identify areas for improvement, enhance performance, and boost employee engagement.
The OHCSF confirmed that the exercise will hold daily from 8:00 am in all MDAs, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies, including offices across the federation and in the diaspora.