Director-General of Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Mrs. Funke Adepoju, has called on public servants to embrace intentional leadership, strategic stakeholder engagement, and value-driven lobbying to drive effective and sustainable change.

Mrs. Adepoju spoke as a panellist at Agenda 2025 Alumni Upskilling Programme, hosted by Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, at Emerald Hall, The Zone, Gbagada, Lagos.

The session: “Change Management in the Public Service – Role of Stakeholder Engagement, Negotiations, and Lobbying,” focused on how public sector leaders can manage resistance, promote reforms, and influence governance outcomes through collaborative and transparent approaches.

Describing the service as “the engine room of government,” Adepoju noted change is a transition and a transformation, which must begin with mindsets and attitudes.

“If we remain where we are, then there is a problem,” she warned. Change doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it requires strategic negotiation, clear communication, and genuine public interest.”

Mrs. Adepoju shared how she navigated and resolved a regulatory challenge involving a multinational bottling firm.

“By engaging stakeholders for over six months, focusing on public health and sustainability, and presenting data on environmental risks of unregulated abstraction, I achieved compliance without conflict. Lobbying is not manipulation; it is a legitimate tool for public sector reform when driven by facts…” she said.

The ASCON chief proposed a framework for stakeholder engagement using 5Ws (What, Why, When, Where, Who) and 2Hs (How and How much) approach. She noted that the structure enables targeted communication, ensures alignment of interests, and fosters collective responsibility.

Mrs. Adepoju offered advice on dealing with internal resistance, maintaining focus amidst political transitions, and navigating challenges without bitterness.

“Document your efforts. Speak with the file. Use diplomacy and facts. A ‘no’ today can become a ‘yes’ tomorrow with persistence and patience,” she explained.

She encouraged a values-based approach to leadership and change, affirming that every public servant can drive transformation by choosing courage, collaboration, and strategic action.

The session was attended by participants from across Nigeria’s MDAs and development partners. It featured Vice Chancellor of the Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Enase Okonedo, who shared additional insights on stakeholder mapping and emotional intelligence in policy implementation.