Former Head of Civil Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has identified civil servants’ resistance to innovation as a huge challenge.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
Speaking at her retirement dinner in Abuja, organised by Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, she noted the initial resistance to change but said constant communication made civil servants embrace the new vision.
Yemi-Esan said the process involved engaging stakeholders to ensure civil servants understood and supported the changes.
She said: “I think the biggest challenge was changing the mindset of civil servants. We brought in a lot of innovations.
“So convincing them this is a better way, I think was a big challenge. The initial reaction to anything new is resistance. So there was a lot of resistance.
“But we were able to convince them by communication. We communicated with stakeholders to ensure they bought into the vision.
She credited collaborations with key partners as instrumental in driving the reforms.
“We partnered AIG Imoukhuede Foundation, that helped us. Both personnel expertise, funding, even funding of the project.
“So the partnerships helped a lot. What would be your advice to those looking to attain the heights you are now? God is behind pushing and making sure things happen.
Foundation Chair, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Yemi-Esan’s commitment to the civil service.
Quoting former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Aig-Imoukhuede noted Yemi-Esan’s leadership, efficiency, and patriotism, calling her work worthy of emulation.
He stressed the dual roles of active participants in governance and personal achievements in shaping the nation.
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