Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday formally swore in Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka as the 21st Head of Service of Ogun State, marking a new transition in the state’s civil service leadership following the retirement of the immediate past Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Exco Chambers, Office of the Governor, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in the presence of top government officials, permanent secretaries, members of the State Executive Council and senior civil servants.
Governor Abiodun described the appointment of Saka as a strategic step towards strengthening professionalism, efficiency and responsiveness within the Ogun State Public Service.
According to the governor, the new Head of Service possesses the administrative experience, discipline and institutional knowledge required to sustain ongoing reforms and improve service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
Until his appointment, Saka served as the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Cabinet and Special Services, where he played key roles in policy coordination and executive administration within the state government.
Abiodun expressed confidence that the new Head of Service would build on existing reforms aimed at repositioning the Ogun State civil service into a more productive and technology-driven institution.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of the retired Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, commending him for what he described as years of dedicated and impactful service to the state.
Onasanya, who served as Head of Service during a critical phase of the administration’s public sector reforms, was widely associated with efforts to improve civil service discipline, staff welfare and administrative coordination within the state workforce.
During his tenure, the Ogun State Government introduced several workforce-focused initiatives, including reforms in training, digitisation processes and the expansion of health insurance coverage for public servants and retirees.
His administration also oversaw improved engagement between government and organised labour, alongside implementation of policies targeted at strengthening institutional efficiency within the civil service structure.
Governor Abiodun noted that Saka’s emergence comes at a period when the state government is intensifying reforms aimed at modernising governance systems and improving public sector productivity.
He charged the new Head of Service to uphold integrity, transparency and professionalism while ensuring that civil servants remain committed to efficient service delivery.
The governor also urged workers across the state public service to cooperate fully with the new Head of Service in advancing the administration’s developmental agenda.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Saka expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to justify the appointment through dedication and effective leadership.
He assured that his administration would prioritise staff motivation, institutional discipline, capacity development and improved operational efficiency across the civil service.
Saka also promised to sustain ongoing reforms while introducing measures aimed at improving productivity and maintaining professionalism within the state workforce.
The appointment officially brings to an end Kehinde Onasanya’s tenure as Head of Service and ushers in a new administrative phase within Ogun State’s public service structure.
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