The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has challenged a new generation of public servants to shun complacency and embrace leadership, integrity, innovation and service excellence as they prepare to take on greater responsibilities in government.
The charge was handed down by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, while hosting 10 participants of the Lagos State Public Service Accelerator Programme (PSAP) during a mentorship and knowledge-sharing session in Alausa, Ikeja.
The engagement, held on Friday, September 4, 2026, was part of PSAP’s structured mentorship programme designed to expose high-potential public officers to practical leadership lessons and institutional experiences across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Lagos State Government.
Oyekan-Ismaila commended the state government for introducing the programme, describing it as a strategic investment in grooming a new generation of public servants capable of confronting emerging governance challenges with innovative solutions.
She charged the participants to uphold the core values of the Lagos State Public Service, including loyalty, discipline, hard work, professionalism, integrity and commitment, warning that technical competence alone was not enough to deliver effective public service.
According to her, public servants must also cultivate mutual respect, humility and positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and citizens.
She said, “Effective public service extends beyond technical competence,” stressing that the ability to collaborate, build trust and understand the needs of citizens was critical to successful governance.
The Permanent Secretary also urged the Accelerators to embrace continuous learning and innovation, particularly as technology and rapidly changing citizen expectations continue to transform the way government services are delivered.
She challenged them to return to their respective MDAs and turn the knowledge gained through PSAP into concrete reforms, innovative ideas and practical solutions to problems confronting the public service.
Drawing from her own career journey, including her experience in the banking sector before moving into public service, Oyekan-Ismaila encouraged the participants to remain open to learning and regard every stage of their careers as an opportunity for growth.
She emphasised that effective leadership is not acquired overnight but is built through experience, discipline, continuous learning, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving others.
The Permanent Secretary further charged the participants to become worthy ambassadors of the Lagos State Public Service, noting that their conduct and professionalism could either strengthen or undermine public confidence in government.
The PSAP is a capacity-building and leadership development initiative of the Lagos State Government aimed at identifying and nurturing high-potential public officers as future leaders and change agents.
The programme combines structured learning, mentorship, peer engagement and practical problem-solving, with emphasis on leadership, accountability, collaboration, digital transformation, policy implementation and citizen-focused service delivery.
A major component of the initiative is the “Pass It On” session, through which participants are expected to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to their colleagues and other stakeholders.
The mentorship session at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture provided the Accelerators with firsthand perspectives on public sector administration, institutional management, leadership and service delivery within the tourism, arts and culture sector.
The initiative, introduced by the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training, forms part of the state government’s broader drive to build a stronger, more innovative workforce capable of powering the transformation of the Lagos State Public Service.
