Eight federal civil servants dismissed from service in 2022 have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in their ongoing struggle for reinstatement, despite resolutions by both chambers of the National Assembly directing their recall.
Gatekeepers News reports that the affected workers, who were employed in the Federal Ministries of Environment and Works, also called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, labour unions, civil society organisations and human rights advocates to pressure the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to implement a Senate resolution ordering their reinstatement and redeployment to their respective ministries.
Speaking on behalf of the affected officers during a press briefing in Abuja, Joy Eseoghene said the workers had endured years of hardship following their dismissal, with many unable to meet basic needs.
According to her, some of the affected workers had been forced to sell personal belongings, including mobile phones and other valuables, to survive.
“We have gone through the right channels to seek justice. The National Assembly has investigated the matter and both the 9th and the current 10th National Assemblies have ruled in our favour.
“Yet, despite several letters and correspondence from superior authorities, the commission has blatantly refused to obey the rulings directing our reinstatement.
“We do not know where else to go anymore. If the commission, which is a product of an Act of Parliament, cannot respect the National Assembly, then it appears to be bigger than Nigeria,” she said.
Eseoghene described the workers’ dismissal as unlawful and urged President Tinubu to intervene in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“This illegal termination has caused us so much pain and hardship. We are calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in this matter and give us renewed hope.
“We also call on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to defend the authority of the Senate and ensure that no one undermines the institution under his watch,” she added.
According to her, the Senate, in its Votes and Proceedings of December 10, 2025, resolved that the eight affected officers should be reinstated and returned to their respective ministries. She said the upper chamber also directed the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to ensure compliance with the resolution.
Eseoghene stated that investigations by the relevant Senate committee confirmed that the officers were validly recruited by the commission and possessed legitimate appointment letters signed by authorised officials.
She further noted that their names were published in the official gazette and that they participated in the mandatory Confirmation and Promotion Examination conducted by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, following the Senate’s adoption of the committee report, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, formally communicated the resolution to the FCSC in January 2026.
She recalled that the House of Representatives during the 9th National Assembly had earlier investigated the matter and similarly ruled in favour of the affected officers.
Eseoghene urged the relevant authorities to ensure the implementation of the National Assembly resolutions, enabling the workers to return to service and provide for their families.
