August 04, (THEWILL) – Amid implementation of Nigeria’s new Public Service Rules, tension is growing in the Federal Civil Service, as more than 500 directors in civil service are to proceed on compulsory retirement.
The newly revised Public Service Rules (PSR), 2021, was unveiled recently by the Federal Government through the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on monetary policy, Wale Edun,
A 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 compulsorily retire upon the attainment of eight years in that position.
The rule also said permanent would spend four years in office but their own tenures would be renewable for another four years based on performance.
Following the implementation, which takes effect from July 27, 2023, 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.
A circular from Folashade Yemi-Esan to all the MDAs reads: “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.
“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 circular read in part.
Consequently, over 500 directors on GL 17 who have spent more than eight years in their positions would be affected by 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.
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