“Performance Is Not Optional” — AGF Fagbemi Rallies Justice Ministry to Deliver Excellence
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has issued a rallying call to staff of the Ministry of Justice and its agencies to embrace excellence and accountability in service delivery.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of a one-day retreat on Performance Management System (PMS) in Abuja, Fagbemi emphasized that in today’s Nigeria, “performance is not optional — it is the standard by which we will all be judged.”
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Institutional Performance for Effective Justice Delivery,” was organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice to drive home the importance of the PMS as outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).
Fagbemi noted that PMS is not just a bureaucratic reform tool but the foundation for institutional excellence and sustainable national development. He described the retreat as a “defining moment” and “a call to action,” particularly at a time when citizens’ expectations of justice delivery are higher than ever.
“We must build a ministry that is agile, responsive, and uncompromising in its pursuit of service excellence,” he said. “The era of process for its own sake must end. Every action must be purposeful. Every result measurable. Every officer accountable.”
He highlighted achievements already made, including the establishment of PMS Core Teams, the appointment of PMS Champions, sensitization campaigns, and the realignment of departmental goals with national priorities.
But Fagbemi was quick to point out that these milestones are only the beginning.
“The true test of our resolve lies in embedding PMS into the DNA of our organizational culture,” he said. “Directors, Unit Heads, and every staff member must internalize that performance is the new currency of credibility.”
He called on the ministry to not only lead in policy and reform but to become a model for modern, people-centred, and responsive justice delivery in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed vision for Nigeria.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of Human Resource Management, Mabel Erastus, praised participants for their enthusiasm and commitment. She commended both the HAGF/MJ and SGF/PS for adopting the PMS framework and driving it through the ministry as a key transformational tool under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Mr. Rikko Owutti, a representative from the Performance Management Department in the Office of the Head of Service, applauded the ministry’s progress and encouraged the signing of performance contracts across all agencies. He emphasized that regular reviews and performance appraisals should be institutionalized to sustain the momentum.
