By Esther Onyegbula

In a decisive move to reposition itself as a catalyst for public sector transformation, the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) has commenced a three-day strategic and change management retreat aimed at aligning its operations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The retreat, themed “Rebranding for Transformation”, is being held at ASCON’s headquarters in Topo, Badagry, Lagos, and targets senior and mid-level managers. It is being organised in partnership with Innovators Beyond Borders, a development consultancy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, ASCON’s Director General, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, said the retreat marks a turning point for the institution, which has been pivotal in public service training and human capital development since 1973.

“The essence of this retreat is to ensure ASCON plugs fully into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu,” Adepoju stated. “We must adapt to the ever-changing landscape of public administration and management. This retreat is about redefining our approach and strengthening our national impact.”

She emphasized that ASCON must evolve from being a traditional training centre to becoming a key strategic player in Nigeria’s governance reform landscape.

“We are calling on all states of the federation to leverage ASCON for their capacity-building needs. With the right support, we can go further together,” Adepoju added.

One of the lead facilitators, Mrs. Titilope Ojo, CEO of Aplus Trainers Ltd., described the initiative as an ambitious step to elevate ASCON into a globally respected institution.

“The new DG has a clear vision to make ASCON the Harvard of Nigeria for the public sector,” Ojo said. “This retreat is about laying that foundation. A new era is about to begin, and participants must take this opportunity seriously.”

Reinforcing this sentiment, Dr. Abiola Ayeola, Deputy Director of Management Studies, hailed the retreat as innovative and timely.

“This rebranding is long overdue. The new DG has brought fresh energy and clarity to our mission. We’re not just changing logos, we’re transforming how we build public service capacity,” she said.

Echoing this, Dr. John Ayuba, Director of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Studies, described the retreat as unprecedented.

“This is the first time in ASCON’s history that we are witnessing a retreat of this scale focused purely on internal transformation. It’s a bold and strategic start,” Ayuba said.

Mr. Babatunde Eniayejuni, Chairman of the Retreat Organising Committee, noted that aligning with the national agenda was a deliberate shift in direction.

“The retreat is about increasing the capacity of our staff to meet the demands of modern governance. If the nation is rethinking development, then ASCON must also rethink service delivery,” he stated.

ASCON, established over five decades ago, remains Nigeria’s foremost public administration training institution. However, the college now seeks to redefine its role in national development by aligning more closely with presidential priorities and global best practices in public sector management.

The retreat continues through Friday with sessions on strategic thinking, institutional branding, performance innovation, and global benchmarking.