The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to strictly implement the eight-year tenure policy for directors and the regulated term for permanent secretaries across the federal civil service.
The directive was conveyed through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, led by Didi Esther Walson-Jack, following concerns over inconsistent compliance by several MDAs.
The tenure policy stems from the revised Public Service Rules approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2021 and formally operationalised in July 2023.
The former Head of Service, Folasade Yemi-Esan, had earlier announced the commencement of the revised rules during activities marking the 2023 Civil Service Week.
Under the regulations, permanent secretaries are to serve a four-year term, renewable only on the basis of satisfactory performance, while directors on Grade Level 17 or its equivalent must retire after eight years in office.
A circular issued to permanent secretaries, directors-general, and heads of federal agencies noted that implementation of the policy had been “haphazard and inconsistent” in some institutions, in violation of the Public Service Rules.
The memo warned that continued non-compliance would attract administrative sanctions and directed all MDAs to submit annual reports on the status of implementation, alongside monthly nominal rolls, to the Office of the Head of Service for monitoring.
The renewed enforcement comes amid earlier concerns raised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria over alleged attempts to extend the tenure of certain top officials beyond the approved limits.
Government officials say the move is intended to strengthen accountability, ensure uniform application of civil service regulations, and promote orderly career progression within the federal public service.
