The retreat, initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, aimed to address the persistent inefficiency and poor quality of services in public institutions.

[3] It operates under the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, particularly Sections 14(2)(b) and 15(5), which emphasize the government's primary responsibility to promote the welfare and security of its citizens and abolish corrupt practices.

Though not backed by a specific decree or act of the National Assembly, SERVICOM was established through a presidential directive, making it a policy-driven mechanism rather than a statutory body.

[6] The organization operates through a Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), which provides policy direction and monitors SERVICOM's performance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Additionally, a 2022 study highlighted that public offices in Nigeria have long been riddled with inefficiency and corruption, becoming impediments to the effective implementation of government policies.