PASGA: Housing Ministry Moves to Strengthen Workforce Efficiency 

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken a significant step toward strengthening institutional efficiency and workforce optimisation, through the effective instrumentation of Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) framework 

PASGA, driven by the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation  (OHCSF), is an initiative of the federal government designed to modernize the civil service. It involves verifying employee records, mapping skills, and identifying training needs across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to improve efficiency and data-driven management. 

Among the key aspects of PASGA are; creation of a credible personnel database, identification of competency gaps, and supporting  evidence-based decision-making on recruitment and training.

The ministry, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore convened a close out meeting with the PASGA Lead Consultants and representatives of the OHCSF - to review key findings from the exercise, validate data outcomes, address observed gaps, and chart a clear and strategic pathway for implementation across the Ministry.

In  his remarks, the Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to full compliance with the directives and guidelines of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,  emphasizing that the PASGA exercise represents a critical reform initiative aimed at repositioning the public service for greater efficiency, accountability, and performance-driven service delivery.

He noted that the exercise goes beyond routine personnel verification, describing it as a transformative tool that provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating workforce composition, identifying capacity gaps, and aligning human resources with the Ministry’s core mandates and operational priorities.

“The PASGA process marks the beginning of a new phase not only for the Ministry but for the civil service as a whole. It provides us with a credible foundation to critically assess our workforce, deploy talent more effectively, and ensure that we are adequately equipped to deliver on our national housing and urban development agenda,” he stated.

While commending the consultants for their professionalism, diligence, and commitment throughout the exercise, Dr Belgore drew their attention to some discrepancies in their preliminary presentation; in the area of unverified staff database, as well as missing departments that were not captured in the data analysis.

He stressed the importance of accuracy, inclusiveness, and collaboration in finalising the report, noting that the consultants must integrate the Ministry’s inputs and clarifications before submission of the final document.  " A robust and credible database is essential for effective workforce planning and policy implementation" he emphasised 

Accordingly, Dr. Belgore noted that the public service remains the engine room of governance and national development, pointing out that the PASGA framework is specifically designed to identify and bridge critical skills gaps that could hinder institutional performance and service delivery.

In a welcome address, the Director of Human Resource Management, Ademola Ayodele, highlighted the importance of data integrity in achieving the objectives of the exercise. He assured participants that all identified inconsistencies and inaccuracies in figures and records would be meticulously addressed.

“Data accuracy is fundamental. Once the data is flawed, the outcomes will inevitably be compromised. We are committed to ensuring that every discrepancy is corrected so that the final report reflects the true position of the Ministry,” he stated.

Earlier, in his presentation, the Lead Consultant from Georgid Consulting, Mr. Idotenyin Isaac, appreciated the cooperation, openness, and support extended by the Ministry for the duration of the exercise. He acknowledged that any technical challenges or gaps encountered during the process were attributable to the consulting team and not the Ministry.

He explained that the primary objective of the PASGA exercise is to enhance organisational effectiveness through a systematic approach to personnel verification and skills assessment, supported by specialised tools developed to ensure accuracy, transparency, and sustainability.

“The essence of this exercise is improvement. It is designed to provide the Ministry with a reliable mechanism for tracking workforce data, identifying gaps, and supporting evidence-based decision-making,” he noted.

The interactive session also provided a robust platform for questions, clarifications, and internal deliberations, enabling stakeholders to critically engage with the findings and contribute to shaping a practical and implementable roadmap for the next phase.

The Housing Ministry reaffirned it's position and reiterated it's commitment to leveraging the outcomes of the PASGA exercise to strengthen workforce planning, enhance institutional coherence, promote optimal deployment of personnel, and ultimately improve service delivery to Nigerians.