NIGERIA: USG ENGAGES MIDLEVEL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

UNCLAS ABUJA 002145 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SENV EAGR EAID PGOV NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: USG ENGAGES MIDLEVEL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ¶1. On October 14, as part of ongoing Mission effort to increase the capacity of the Nigerian civil service, ESTHOff led a presentation on the policy and governance factors that had contributed to the growth of the U.S. economy over the years and described the U.S. civil service at a workshop for mid-level GON officials in Kaduna. The Mission has a standing invitation to deliver presentations at periodic workshops for mid-level federal employees and has used the opportunity to increase understanding of applied economics while developing useful contacts. ¶2. In his presentation, ESTHoff addressed the history of growth of the U.S. economy, identifying challenges and measures taken to address them. ESTHOff also discussed the U.S. civil service and how a competitive merit-based civil service is essential for the effective and efficient functioning of a government. In a lively Q and A session following the presentation, participants discussed challenges that the Nigerian economy and the civil service are facing and how some useful lessons can be learned from the U.S. experience. ¶3. COMMENT: The opportunity to periodically interact with Nigerian mid-level federal employees gives the USG a unique opportunity to reach out and engage a cadre of upwardly mobile federal officials. Mission personnel have addressed similar workshops in the past and will continue to do so. END COMMENT. ¶4. This cable has been coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS