New President pledges to position productivity at the heart of Nigeria’s economic transformation

LAGOS, NIGERIA — September 28, 2026: The Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd) has appointed Professor Maryam Abdu, FCP, as the new President of its Governing Council, ushering in a new phase in the organisation’s drive to make productivity a central instrument for Nigeria’s economic growth, public-sector efficiency and national prosperity.

Professor Abdu succeeds Professor Sandeep Kumar Gupta FCP, the pioneer President of the CeProd Governing Council, whose tenure witnessed the development of the Centre’s professional foundation, growing membership, knowledge resources and international outlook.

Her appointment comes at a time when Nigeria and other African economies face the urgent challenge of converting their substantial human and economic potential into measurable improvements in income, competitiveness, employment and quality of life.

Accepting the appointment, Professor Abdu said the philosophy that should guide the next chapter of CeProd is “continuity with improvement.” She said the Centre must preserve the achievements that have brought it this far while responding proactively to major forces reshaping productivity globally, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, climate change, changing models of work, demographic shifts and global economic uncertainties.

According to her, the critical question confronting organisations and governments is no longer simply how people can work harder, but how people, organisations and governments can work smarter, innovate faster, use resources more efficiently and create greater value.

Productivity as a National Development Imperative

The new CeProd President said Africa’s enormous human and economic potential would not automatically translate into prosperity unless productivity became a deliberate national priority.

“Potential alone does not create prosperity.
Productivity converts potential into prosperity.”

She reaffirmed CeProd’s philosophy of “Prosperity Through Productivity”, stressing that the organisation must become an increasingly influential voice in addressing Africa’s productivity challenges.

Professor Abdu said CeProd would support initiatives addressing public-sector efficiency, private-sector competitiveness, entrepreneurship, workforce development, digital transformation and organisational excellence.

She also advocated the adoption of productivity measurement and performance improvement as an integral part of the management culture of governments, businesses and institutions.

Her position places productivity beyond the traditional concept of individual employee performance, presenting it as a national development tool capable of improving how governments deliver services, how businesses compete, how entrepreneurs create wealth and how institutions utilise scarce resources.

Focus on AI, Innovation and the Future of Work

Professor Abdu’s assumption of office also comes as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies rapidly reshape workplaces and professional skills.

She said CeProd must remain ahead of these changes by promoting technology-driven productivity and innovation, while ensuring that knowledge acquired through education and professional development is translated into measurable workplace improvements.

The new President's agenda is therefore expected to strengthen CeProd’s role in equipping professionals, business leaders, academics and public servants with the knowledge and tools required to remain productive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

She also called for a stronger professional network in which CeProd Fellows and members can learn from one another, collaborate, undertake research, exchange ideas and create opportunities for productivity improvement.

A New Era of Collective Leadership

Professor Abdu described her appointment not as the beginning of one person’s leadership, but as “another phase of collective leadership.”

She called on CeProd Fellows to become ambassadors of productivity in their workplaces, academics to strengthen research and knowledge creation, business leaders to demonstrate productivity through innovation and better management, and public servants to pursue efficiency and excellence in public service delivery.

She particularly encouraged younger professionals to embrace technology, challenge outdated assumptions, continue learning and seek better ways of creating value.

The new President also paid tribute to her predecessor, Professor Sandeep Kumar Gupta, describing him as a distinguished scholar and pioneer President who laid a strong foundation for the Centre.

“I therefore do not come with the intention of replacing his legacy. I come to build upon it,” she declared.

CeProd's Growing Role in Africa

Professor Abdu takes over at a period of significant growth for CeProd. In her acceptance speech, she noted that the Centre has expanded in membership, professional recognition, knowledge resources and international reach, evolving into a growing community of productivity professionals, academics, business leaders and public-sector practitioners.

She also highlighted the Centre’s expanding online library, training programmes, professional development activities, publications and leadership initiatives as important platforms for establishing CeProd as an increasingly influential productivity institution in Africa and beyond.

DG: CeProd Ready for the Next Phase

The Director-General of CeProd, Dr Chris Egbu, expressed confidence in the new leadership of the Governing Council, noting that the Centre’s next phase would require stronger collaboration among its Governing Council, management, Fellows, members, academics, business leaders and public-sector practitioners.

Professor Abdu, in her acceptance speech, recognised the contribution of the Director-General and management team to the growth of the Centre, particularly in expanding its professional network and developing its programmes and knowledge resources.

She pledged to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and to approach her new responsibility with integrity, openness, inclusiveness and commitment to excellence.

Concluding her acceptance speech, Professor Abdu said:

“Together, we can take CeProd to a new level of professional excellence, international visibility and measurable impact.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening productivity development in Nigeria, Africa and the world, while calling on stakeholders to continue championing the principle that unites the Centre: “Prosperity Through Productivity.”