Behold Nigeria's "highest-paid" Civil Servant now suspended for alleged fraud

Nellie Mayshak is the pioneer Director General of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) which was established in August 2013 in compliance with the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004, as an independent pension agency for the Public Service of the Federation. PTAD oversees the management of pensions under the Defined Benefit Scheme for pensioners not transiting to the defined contributory scheme.

Prior to her appointment as DG, Nellie was the National Programme Manager for the Federal Public Administration Reform Programme, a UK Government/ Federal Government of Nigeria collaboration to reform the Public Service of Nigeria. The FEPAR programme worked with leaders of core central FGN institutions to improve core systems and processes for policy, budget and civil service management.

Nellie is an international development expert with over 25 years experience in public sector management, both in Canada and internationally. Nellie’s particular expertise is in institutional strengthening of government structures and processes and building capacity for effective public policy management, reform management and coordination.

Nellie has been involved in international development projects in Eastern Europe, China and many African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa and Sudan.

A few highlights:

• Nellie led the reconstruction of the Civil Service of Liberia, a post conflict country with a collapsed public service. She worked with senior government officials to develop the first ever Civil Service Reform Strategy that is being implemented in the Country. In Liberia, Nellie had the privilege of being of service to the first elected female President in Africa, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Hosting Her Excellency in workshops and briefing sessions with Her Excellency are personal and professional high points.
• Another professional highlight was Ghana. Nellie led a long running institutional development project in the office of the President in the Government of Ghana to improve the operational processes for Cabinet decision-making and the policy management capacity of senior officials.
• Nellie has advised the Kenya Prime Minister’s Office, and the Uganda Cabinet Office.
• Of notable reference is Nellie’s experience from her work in reforming the public administration of Lithuania into the EU.

Prior to her consulting practice, Nellie worked in senior management positions in the Ontario (Canada) Public Service where she gained extensive practical experience while performing in high profile positions as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Cabinet Office, Policy Advisory to the Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services, Director of Research for a Justice Commission, among others. For a number of years, Nellie also served as the Deputy Director for International Programs at the institute of Public Administration of Canada, IPAC.

Nellie holds a BA from the University of Ife, MA in Sociology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. She also completed all but the dissertation requirements towards a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Toronto, Canada.