FG Direct Eight-year Tenure For Administrators, Perm Secs

The Federal Authorities has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Businesses to implement the eight-year tenure restrict for administrators and everlasting secretaries, following a brand new deadline set by means of the Workplace of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Recall that in July 2023, the previous Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, introduced the graduation of the revised Public Service Guidelines.

Talking at a lecture on the State Home, Abuja, to mark the 2023 Civil Service Week, Yemi-Esan said that the revised PSR took impact from July 27, 2023.

The Head of Service issued a round addressed to Everlasting Secretaries, the Accountant-Normal of the Federation, the Auditor-Normal for the Federation, and heads of extra-ministerial departments, informing them of the revised guidelines.

“Following the approval of the revised Public Service Guidelines (PSR) by the Federal Govt Council (FEC) on September 27, 2021, and its subsequent unveiling in the course of the public service lecture in commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week, the PSR has develop into operational with impact from July 27, 2023,” the round learn.

In line with Part 020909 of the revised PSR, the tenure restrict for everlasting secretaries is 4 years, with a potential renewal based mostly solely on passable efficiency.

The principles additionally stipulate {that a} director (GL 17) or its equal shall compulsorily retire after eight years in that place.

Investigations by The PUNCH revealed that whereas some MDAs, such because the Federal Ministry of Finance, carried out the foundations instantly, others failed to take action.

In August 2025, the Affiliation of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria raised issues over plans to increase the tenure of sure administrators and everlasting secretaries, warning towards violations of civil service guidelines.

Nevertheless, in a memo launched on February 10, 2026, signed by the present Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, MDAs have been accused of inconsistent implementation of the tenure system.

“Additional to the issuance of the Round, Ref. No. HCSF/CMO/002/S.1/VOL.IV/315 dated January 9, 2014, and Rule 020909 of the Public Service Guidelines, 2021, this round reiterates the applicability of the eight-year tenure coverage for administrators throughout the Federal Public Service.

“This reminder has develop into essential following observations that the implementation of the Eight-12 months Tenure Coverage for Administrators has been haphazard and inconsistent throughout MDAs in breach of Rule 020909 of Public Service Guidelines, 2021 Version.

“Consequently, Everlasting Secretaries, Administrators-Normal, and Chief Govt Officers of Federal Authorities-owned Businesses are hereby knowledgeable that the rule on the Eight-12 months tenure for Administrators continues to be in pressure and needs to be carried out accordingly.

“To make sure compliance with this round, you’re hereby requested to undergo the Workplace of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, for monitoring and file functions, the next paperwork: an annual report on the standing of implementation of the Eight-12 months tenure coverage in your MDA, on or earlier than February 28 of yearly; and the month-to-month Nominal Roll of your MDA.

“Observe that non-compliance with these directives will appeal to acceptable administrative penalties. Kindly carry the content material of this Circular to the eye of all involved, for strict compliance.”