Lagos integrates succession planning

The Lagos State Government is creating succession planning into its public service to meet the high standards of governance that the citizens now expect from the government, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.
He made this known at a training session for workers of the state tagged: ‘Integrated Strategic Planning for Succession, Talent and Performance Management’ organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions.
Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments,  Dr. Akintola, Benson, said succession planning for organisations is in line with global best practices.
According to him, the state believes that succession planning is vitally important to ensure the continued success of any organisation, in identifying and developing the talent which will fill critical roles in the future, or in times of crisis.
He noted that organisations of all sizes are now focusing on succession planning to ensure the leaders of the future are in place.
He posited that Increasingly, succession planning should be a consideration not just for high-level senior managerial roles, but also for technical roles requiring a great deal of expertise.
He stressed that many companies fail to give the matter sufficient attention, even though the need for in-house candidates with essential skills to lead the organization may be greater than ever.
He then noted that as leadership turnover at many large organisations averages about once every three years, companies that lack qualified succession candidates are forced to hire from the outside.
He said organisations that make succession planning a perennial goal are better able to maintain performance while satisfying the demands of stakeholders.
He further said that he is confident the training will enable the workers to adapt to benefit the Lagos State Public Service.
He said the State will take great pains to carefully domesticate best global practice in its system while avoiding importing practices that are not workable under their peculiar circumstances. Beyond this, however, we must be challenged to aspire to the high standards of governance that the citizens now expect from the government, he added.