The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, Lagos, on Wednesday commenced a three-day retreat on change and strategic management aimed at aligning staff with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Organised in collaboration with Innovators Beyond Borders, the retreat was themed “Rebranding for Transformation“ and targeted senior and mid-level managers within the institution.
Speaking at the opening session, the Director-General of ASCON, Mrs Funke Adepoju, said the retreat was designed to position the college in line with the federal government’s vision of national renewal and capacity development.
“ASCON, as a pivotal institution, plays a critical role in building capacity for public administration. Since its establishment in 1973, it has remained strong, and we are calling on all states of the federation to key into this vision of human capital development with ASCON as a strategic partner,” Adepoju stated.
She emphasised the college’s recognition of the need to adapt to the evolving dynamics of public service management, saying: “ASCON has long been a beacon of knowledge, innovation and leadership development in Nigeria. However, to remain relevant and impactful, we must constantly evaluate and update our strategic approach.”
According to her, the retreat represents a commitment to redefining the institution’s direction, enhancing capabilities, and expanding its impact. “We aim to leverage the collective experience and innovation of our staff to drive meaningful change and strategic growth,” she added.
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One of the facilitators, Mrs Titilope Ojo, Chief Executive Officer of Aplus Trainers Ltd., described the retreat as a stepping stone towards transforming ASCON into a globally recognised institution.
“ASCON has existed since 1973. We are now looking at how to reposition it as a global brand ideally, the Harvard of Nigeria for the public sector. The new Director-General has brought a vision to make that happen, and we urge all participants to be attentive, as something new is unfolding,” she said.
Dr Abiola Ayeola, Deputy Director in the Department of Management Studies, hailed the initiative as an innovative approach that will rejuvenate and rebrand the college. “ASCON is committed to building the capacity of the public service, and I am impressed by the DG’s dynamic and forward-looking leadership,” she remarked.
Similarly, Dr John Ayuba, Director of the Business Management and Entrepreneurship Studies Department, praised the Director-General for organising what he described as a first-of-its-kind retreat at ASCON. “It is a great start to the much-needed rebranding process and ensures that everyone is aware of the direction we are headed,” he said.
The Chairman of the Retreat Organising Committee, Mr Babatunde Eniayejuni, also noted that the event was crucial to rebranding the institution. “With national priorities shifting, ASCON must move in step with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This retreat aims to build the capacity of our staff to embrace innovation and drive transformation,” he said.
