No fewer than 1000 directors across the country who might have either spent eight years in their positions, clocked 60 years, or served for 35 years, would forcefully retire before the end of 2023 following the revised Public Service Rules (PSR) which was unveiled recently.
Gatekeepers News reports that the tenure policy for directors and permanent secretaries was initially introduced during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in August 2009 in order to eliminate stagnation in the service.
The policy prescribed a term limit of four years for permanent secretaries and another term of four years (renewable once) for officers on the directorate cadre.
It was however suspended on June 20, 2016, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We wish to reiterate that just like any policy of government, policies are supposed to be reviewed from time to time to find out if they have met the desired objectives. The government is reviewing the policy, along with other policies, in an effort to institute relevant and far-reaching changes to strengthen the civil service,” the circular on the suspension had read.
The PSR which has now been revised, has in its provisions, 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.
Equally, in the revised rule, a director (GL 17) or its equivalent as may be prescribed by other MDA’s, shall compulsorily retire upon the attainment of eight years in that position.
The circular dated July 27, 2023 directed permanent secretaries, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General for the Federation, and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Department to ensure immediate compliance.
The development is expected to give room for more Deputy Directors (DDs) on GL16 to rise to the next level and the Assistant Directors (ADs) to rise to the DD level to clear backlog of promotion exercises largely stalled by non-availability of vacancies.
“Following the approval of the revised public service rules (PSR) by the federal executive council (FEC) on the 27th of September, 2021 and its subsequent unveiling during the public service lecture in commemoration of the 2023 civil service week, the PSR has become operational with effective from 27th July, 2023,” the circular reads in parts.
According to PSR 020908, the mandatory retirement age remains 60 years or 35 years in service as the case may be with the exemption of judicial officers, and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, among others.
“The mandatory retirement age for all grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
“No officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
“The provision of (i) and (ii) above is without prejudice to prevailing conditions of service for Judicial Officers, Academic Staff of Universities and other Officers whose retirement age is at variance with (i) and (ii) above,” the PSR stated.
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan has signed a circular to ensure compliance with the revised policy across the MDAs.
Dr Yemi-Esan, during a public service lecture, held in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week, noted that the implementation of the revised rules has commenced.
Similarly, Mariya Rufa’i, Director of Administration at the Federal Ministry of Finance, in a circular dated July 27, directed that all affected “are advised to commence the process of documentation with the admin. department for compulsory retirement by virtue of the section under reference.”
The Director of Communications, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHoCSF), Mallam Mohammed Ahmed, as said there is no cause for alarm as all officers concerned are complying with the new directive.
“There is no grumbling anywhere; those affected knew it was done in the interest of the Civil Service. There are some officers that said their being in position was different from when they were issued official appointment as directors. What would be required is for them to write to the appropriate authority on the matter,” he told Daily Trust.
When asked on the fear of vacuum after the directors may have exit the service, the OHoCSF spokesman said that there are competent deputy directors and assistant directors who can carry on, in acting capacity, before substantive directors would be appointed.
“There are numerous directors awaiting posting in the OHCSF; there will be no vacuum, please. In addition, there are competent deputy directors and assistant directors who can carry on, in acting capacity, before substantive directors would be appointed.
“Let me also tell you that this policy was not new; it was there before it was suspended due to overall public interest. It is now being implemented in the interest of the Civil Service,” Ahmed said.
