Nigerian Government Orders Immediate Retirement of Directors After Eight Years Under Civil Service Tenure Policy

The Nigerian government has directed the immediate disengagement of all directors who have spent eight years or more in the directorate cadre, enforcing a long-standing tenure policy across the federal public service.

The directive, issued through the Federal Ministry of Health, affects directors within the ministry, federal hospitals and affiliated health agencies.

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Enforcement of Eight-Year Tenure Rule

A memo obtained in Abuja on Tuesday confirms that the decision aligns with the Eight-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, as stipulated in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909).

The circular was signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry.

“Further to the Eight (8)-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, which mandates the compulsory retirement of Directors after eight years in that rank… I am directed to remind you to take necessary action to ensure that all affected officers who have spent eight years as Directors, effective 31st December, 2025, are disengaged from Service immediately,” the memo stated.

The enforcement follows a fresh deadline issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which had earlier instructed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply strictly with the policy.

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Salaries to Be Stopped, Monitoring to Begin

The directive goes beyond retirement notices. Heads of agencies and parastatals have been ordered to ensure that affected officials hand over all government property and official documents without delay.

The memo further instructs the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) Unit to halt salaries of disengaged officers immediately. Any payments made beyond their effective date of retirement must be refunded to the federal treasury.

Institutions are also required to submit the nominal roll of all directorate officers — including those on CONMESS 07, CONHESS 15 and CONRAISS 15 salary structures — to designated ministry email addresses.

Officials from both the Office of the Head of the Civil Service and the Health Ministry are expected to carry out monitoring exercises to ensure compliance.

“Failure to adhere… shall be met with stiff sanctions,” the circular warned.

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Wider Civil Service Implications

The move signals a firm push by the federal government to enforce tenure limits within the public service, particularly at senior management levels.

While the latest directive specifically highlights the health sector, it stems from a broader federal policy affecting all MDAs.

The enforcement could trigger significant changes across ministries and agencies, as long-serving directors exit the system and succession processes begin.

Further reactions from affected officials and labour representatives are expected in the coming days.