The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) was legally recognized as a Trade Union in 1978 via the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 6 Vol. 65 of 8th February 1978. It has jurisdiction to organize all employees other than junior staff of Federal and State Governments.
Initially, the Association operated from 45A Kakawa Street, Lagos before relocating in 2003 to its present property at No. 2 Dapo Bode-Thomas Street, Yaba, Lagos, which serves as its Corporate Headquarters. Currently, the Union has Branches and Chapters in the 36 States of the Federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The Association has over 1700 units at both the Federal and 36 States in the country. Over the years the Association has been overseeing the welfare of its members who are senior officers on salary grade level 07 and above in the Federal and State Establishments.
The Presidents that have piloted the affairs of the Association from inception till date are as follows:
| (i) Chief Tugbobo | – 1982 – 1983 |
| (ii) Mr. Adebekun | – 1983 – 1986 |
| (iii) Chief D. O. Dede | – 1986 – 1991 |
| (iv) Chief J. O. Ige | – 1992 – 1996 |
| (v) Mr. Thomas O. Esezobor | – 1997 – 1999 |
| (vi) Mr. Sunday Job | – 1999 – 2003 |
| (vii) Comrade Olakunle O. Olaitan | – 2003 – 2012 |
| (viii) Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama | – 2012 – 2020 |
| (ix) Comrade Tommy Etim Okon PhD | – Jul 2021 till date |
The achievements of the Presidents are as follows:
- Chief Tugbobo– He spearheaded the registration of the Association and brought some civil servants together under the umbrella of the newly registered Union. He kick-started the process of deduction of Union dues from the salaries of
- Mr. Adebekun – He built from where his predecessor stopped and encouraged members to embrace the union for the sake of their careers. Membership drive gained momentum during his time.
- Chief D. O. Dede – He took over from where his predecessors stopped. He superintended over the appointment of a substantive Secretary-General for the Association knowing full well that the Union may not achieve much without a formidable Secretariat. A thoroughbred civil servant, he believed in hard work and dedication to duty. He is very meticulous and gives attention to details.
- Chief O. Ige – He brought stability to the Association. He ensured that organisation of members was given the pride of place during his tenure. Many States were organized during his tenure. He equally ensured that state secretaries were employed to man the states of the Federation for effective coverage. He led the Unions in the civil service to embark on a national strike that culminated in the correction of distortion in the salary structure being operated in the civil service.
- Thomas O. Esezobor – A thoroughbred Bureaucrat, he brought more vibrancy and finesse into the operational characteristics of the Association. He ensured that States that were yet to have paid secretaries were given one for effective coverage. He ensured that the meetings of the Union were moved across the States of the Federation to justify the National nature of the Union. The Union enjoyed relative peace and stability throughout its period.
- Comrade Sunday Job – The Corporate Headquarters of the Association at No. 2Dapo Bode Thomas Street, Yaba, Lagos, was bought during his He brought stability to the Union. The spread of the Union across the States of the Federation gained momentum during his tenure. He ensured that cases of marginalization of members did not go unchallenged throughout his reign as the National President. He believed so much in using statistical data to back and buttress his arguments for improved welfare of members. He was very useful to the Joint Public Service Negotiating Councils, particularly in the area of packaging memoranda.
- Comrade Olakunle O. Olaitan – He spearheaded the 53.37% Salary Increase for Civil. The 11 plots of land in the Mabushi area in Abuja were acquired by the Association during his tenure. He led the National Public Service Negotiating Council for about 4 years.
The Secretaries-General and their achievements
The secretaries-General that have steered the ship of the union since its inception are:
- Chief D.O Dede – Acted as Honorary Secretary from the inception of the Union until he became the president of the Association in 1986
- Mr. Steven Orhora – An administrative secretary. He rented the apartment used as the first office of the union. It was located at 45A kakawa street, Lagos.
- Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal (2012 to 2022) – Under his leadership of the National Secretariat, the 11 plots of land acquired by the Union have been developed up to the third-floor level. The massive complex includes Offices, Shopping Malls, Guest houses, Conference centers, etc. The Secretariat in Lagos and the Annex in Abuja were given facelifts, operational vehicles were purchased for both Lagos and Abuja offices. More Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were brought under the umbrella of the Association through a massive organizational drive. The welfare of members of staff was given top priority. Staff salaries and allowances are settled on time thereby improving their productivity level. Training of members both locally and internationally is being done. Members have traveled to South Africa, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America for training. The Union enjoys improved peace and stability during his period. He believed very strongly in organizing.
