Nigeria’s new public service rules will send more than 500 directors in Nigeria’s civil service into compulsory retirement once implemented.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, has issued a circular to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure compliance with the revised Public Service Rules (PSR) that was launched last week.
“Following the approval of the revised Public Service Rules by the Federal Executive Council on the 27th of September, 2021 and its subsequent unveiling during the public service lecture during the commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week, the PSR has become operational with effect from 27 July, 2023,” the circular read in part.
“You are, therefore, to ensure full compliance with all provisions of the Public Service Rules, 2021. Please, ensure strict compliance with the contents of this circular.”
The implementation of the PSR had commenced after it was unveiled at the public service lecture held at the Presidential villa in Abuja.
One key provision of the PSR is a tenure system for Permanent Secretaries who “shall hold office for a term of four years and another renewable term based only on satisfactory performance.”
According to the new rule, a director (GL 17) or its equivalent as may be prescribed by other MDAs must compulsory retire upon the attainment of eight years in that position.
Consequently, over 500 directors on GL 17 who have spent more than eight years in their positions would be affected in the Federal Civil Service as they will be sent into compulsory retirement.
The circular also stated that the new policy is to give opportunity to more deputy directors in the service on GL16 to rise to the next level of their career.
