The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), was established after the Federal Government of Nigeria had realized the need to address the prevailing “management capacity gap” that characterized the Public Service immediately after independence, as a result of the exit of expatriate public servants.

In order to bridge the gap, the Federal Government commissioned the Institute of Administration in the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1967, to carry out a comprehensive Identification of Training Needs for the entire Public Service and to make recommendations on how to implement the training programmes identified. The assignment was led by Professor Wolles who was the Institute’s Senior Consultant in Public Administration at that time. One of the cardinal recommendations contained in the report submitted to Government in May, 1968 was that “a Civil Service Academy” be established as soon as possible, but within eighteen months.

Government considered and approved the recommendation but decided that the proposed “Civil Service Academy” would be called the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) situated in Topo-Badagry and it would be regarded as a foremost management institution for the training of public servants.

Consequently, the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria was established by the Federal Government through Decree No. 39 of 1973 now ASCON Act, Cap. 6, Vol. I LFN 1990 as the principal organ for sustainable human capital development in both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy

Departments (Faculty)

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP STUDIES DEPARTMENT

The overall objective of the Department is to conduct training, consultancy and research in the areas of Business Enterprise Management both in the Private and Public Sectors of the nation’s economy. The Department’s objectives among others are to: - Provide manpower training and development for middle and senior managers in the Nigerian Public Enterprises; - Contribute to the development of Nigeria’s Small/Medium Scale Industry through organizing of courses /workshop for entrepreneurs in the sub-sector; - Champion the College’s incursion into the private sector management training through establishment of training rapport with the organized private sector; - Conduct research into problems of management in the public and private sectors of Nigerian economy; and - Provide management consultancy services both for the private and public sectors of the economy.

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STUDIES DEPARTMENT

The objectives of CIMSD are: i. Initiative studies in the Management and the use of Information Technology; ii. Provide Training and Consultancy Services in the application of Information Technology in the public and private sectors of the Economy; iii. Design and produce programmes in form of photographs, overhead transparencies, audio and videotape recordings; iv. Train managers in the acquisition of computer knowledge and skills and its application to decision-making, and the Management of Corporate Records and Information; v. Advise on computerization of the vital operations of the College and ensure effective systems compatibility and functionality; and vi. To reposition ASCON in the IT training market for the challenges of the global information village.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT STUDIES DEPARTMENT

The objectives of the Department among others are to: (i) design, develop and conduct programmes in the areas of Finance, Accounting, Auditing, Budgeting, Procurement and Supplies Management; and (ii) Conduct training, carry out research and consultancy assignments in the aforementioned areas for both the public and private sectors of the economy.

GENDER STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Specifically, the department shall be involved in the following: i. identification of training needs of individuals and organizations in the area of gender and management studies; ii. articulating gender training proposals for the Nigerian Public Service, Private Sector organizations as well as Non- Governmental organizations; iii. undertaking advocacy for gender and women’s empowerment in the Public Service; iv. promoting the collection of resource materials, including useful websites, to enable ASCON staff and other clientele access vital publications on Gender; v. designing and conducting workshops and seminars for clients in both public and private service; and vi. conducting research into Gender Mainstreaming and Management.