Mass layoffs hit civil service as Nigerian government orders over 500 senior directors to resign

The Nigerian government has ordered over 500 senior directors in the civil service to proceed with compulsory retirement.

This was contained in a circular dated July 27, 2023, issued and signed by the Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan

The circular advised Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General for the Federation, and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Department to ensure compliance.

Yemi-Esan said this was to ensure compliance with the revised Public Service Rules (PSR) that was unveiled last week.

She had declared that 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.

The new rule also stated that a Director (GL 17) or its equivalent as may be prescribed by other MDAs shall compulsorily retire upon the attainment of eight years in that position.
It was, however, learnt that over 500 Directors on GL 17 have spent more than eight years in their positions would be affected in the Federal Civil Service.

The new policy is to enable more Deputy Directors in the service on GL16 rise to the next level.

Meanwhile, in line with the Head of Civil Service directive, the Federal Ministry of Finance has ordered that all its directors who have spent eight years in the directorate cadre tender their notices for early retirement, our correspondent gathered.

A memo signed by the Director of Administration of the ministry, Mariya Rufai which was dated August 3, 2023, was addressed to all directors and heads of units of the ministry.

The memo reads;

“I write to refer you to the “2021 Revised Edition” of the Public Service Rules which takes effect from 27th July 2023. Consequently, all Directors (SGL 17) who have spent eight years and above on the post are by this Internal Circular directed to submit their notice of retirement in line with Section 020909 of the revised PSR effective from the date stated thereof.

“Accordingly, all affected directors are advised to commence the process of documentation with the Administration Department for compulsory retirement by virtue of the section under reference.

“Furthermore, the Directors in question should formally hand over to the most senior officers in their respective Departments and surrender all official documents including Identification Cards as well as official vehicles (if any) before exiting.

“Please bring the content of this internal circular to the attention of all concerned for strict compliance.”

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