Panic In Federal Civil Service

Fears have gripped directors in the federal civil service following the retirements of 17 permanent sectaries on Monday, November 9.

The directors are afraid that the reorganisation of departments and directorates might lead to their ouster from the civil service.

The Punch reports that the ongoing restructuring of departments was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to reduce the number of federal ministries from 29 to 25.


While the ministries of aviation, police and special duties were scrapped, the ministries of lands, housing, urban development and works were merged to become the Ministry of Works and Housing. The ministries of information, culture, national orientation and tourism were merged to become the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The reorganisation will reportedly affect Grade Levels 15 to 17 officers, who are mostly assistant directors, deputy directors and directors.

A director, who was handling the re-organisation of the departments and directorates, revealed that in those ministries that were merged some directors might be retired. However, he noted that such compulsory retirement would affect those who have few years to spend in the civil service or had cases of graft.

A senior officer in the office of the Head of Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained the reasons for the restructuring.

“What I can tell you for sure is that this is a restructuring exercise by the present administration aimed at revitalising and re-engineering the civil service for effective service delivery. So, if the federal government feels that merging of a particular ministry with another is going to bring smooth governance, so be it. You cannot challenge the government for a particular action that is going to bring service delivery for Nigeria. So, the merger certainly is going to bring service delivery better for the development of the nation.”

Meanwhile, Alade Lawal, the secretary-general of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, stressed that the union would resist the compulsory retirement of directors.

“The other area where we want to advise the government to thread with caution is the rumour making the rounds that some directors will be removed from service. On this one, we will resist the move and also challenge it with all trade union actions at our disposal. The post of a director is a career position and not political.

“The retirement position is governed by the Public Service Rules which stipulates 60 years of age or 35 years of service, whichever comes first. Any attempt to remove them prematurely before the terminal end of their career is unlawful and we will not accept it. This is not saying that anyone that is found wanting cannot be disciplined. In doing that, however, due process must be followed,” he said.
Following the sack of 17 permanent secretaries, President Buhari has recently announced the names of the new replacements for the federal government.

The total number of new appointees is 54, which includes 18 in the Federal Civil Service.