The Police Service Commission (PSC) has officially commenced the transition from the traditional Annual Performance Evaluation Reports (APER) to the modern Performance Management System (PMS), aimed at fostering accountability, transparency, and efficiency in public service.
According to a press release signed by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani declaring open a two-day training programme for PSC staff on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd.), described the APER system as “obsolete and grossly defective,” stressing that it had long failed to deliver credible assessments of public servants.
According to Argungu, the APER framework encouraged manipulation, favouritism, and deception, which ultimately undermined competence and excellence in the public service. He expressed confidence that the PMS would address these shortcomings by providing a more practical and reliable tool for staff evaluation.
He urged staff participating in the training to take the exercise seriously, seek clarifications where necessary, and ensure maximum participation, noting that the Commission views the reform as a critical step toward institutional growth. He also commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for deploying trainers to facilitate the programme.
In his welcome remarks, the PSC Director of Human Resource Management, Aminu Malumfashi, highlighted the limitations of the old APER system, describing it as largely end-of-year focused, paper-based, and incapable of capturing staff contributions, challenges, and developmental needs throughout the year.
Malumfashi explained that the PMS represents a “transformational shift” as it emphasizes continuous interaction between supervisors and subordinates, clear goal-setting, regular feedback, performance tracking, documentation, capacity building, and merit-based recognition.
“PMS is not just a technical framework; it is a culture shift. It aligns individual performance with organizational goals, ensures fairness and transparency in evaluations, and ultimately improves service delivery to Nigerians,” he stated.
The training programme will cover critical topics including: *Understanding MDAs Performance Management System (MPMS), Job Objectives Setting, Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as well as Dynamics of Cascading MDAs Deliverables to All Levels of Accountability (Hands-On).*
