According to an internal memo circulated in Abuja, the directive applies to directors working in the ministry, federal hospitals, and all affiliated agencies and parastatals. The circular, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, states that all officers who had completed eight years in the directorate position as of December 31, 2025, must be retired without further delay. The ministry has emphasized that compliance is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the directive will result in serious consequences.
The memo outlines specific steps that must be taken to enforce the policy. Affected directors are required to immediately hand over all official documents and government property in their possession. Additionally, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) unit has been instructed to halt the salaries of these officers without exception. The government has also demanded that any payments made to these directors beyond their official disengagement date must be refunded to the Federal Treasury.
To ensure full compliance, heads of agencies and parastatals have been directed to submit a detailed nominal roll of all directorate-level officers, including those on CONMESS 07, CONHESS 15, and CONRAISS 15 salary scales. This measure is intended to facilitate monitoring and verification of adherence to the new policy. The ministry has warned that any institution found violating the directive will face severe penalties, underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing the rules without leniency.
The decision to enforce the eight-year tenure limit is rooted in the Revised Public Service Rules, specifically PSR 020909, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2021 and officially took effect on July 27, 2023. The policy was introduced during the tenure of Folasade Yemi-Esan, the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, as part of broader reforms aimed at modernizing the civil service. Under these rules, directors on Grade Level 17 or its equivalent must retire after serving eight years in the position. Similarly, Permanent Secretaries are restricted to a four-year tenure, which can only be renewed if their performance is deemed satisfactory.
This latest move by the Federal Government reflects a broader effort to tighten control over public service appointments and ensure that leadership positions do not become permanent entitlements. By enforcing tenure limits, the government aims to create opportunities for career progression, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and foster a culture of meritocracy within the civil service. Officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation are expected to conduct regular monitoring exercises to verify compliance across all affected institutions.
The implementation of this policy is likely to bring significant changes to the leadership structures of federal health institutions. Many long-serving directors will be required to step down, paving the way for new appointments and potentially injecting fresh perspectives into the system. While the policy has been met with mixed reactions, supporters argue that it will help revitalize the civil service by preventing the concentration of power and encouraging a more dynamic workforce.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the abrupt nature of the directive and its potential impact on institutional memory. Some argue that experienced directors play a crucial role in maintaining continuity and stability, particularly in complex sectors like healthcare. Nevertheless, the government remains resolute in its stance, viewing the policy as a necessary step toward achieving long-term administrative reforms.
As the enforcement of the eight-year tenure rule takes effect, the coming months will reveal how smoothly the transition unfolds. The success of the policy will depend on effective implementation, transparent monitoring, and clear communication between the government and affected institutions. For now, the directive stands as a bold statement of the government’s commitment to restructuring the civil service and ensuring that public institutions operate with greater efficiency and accountability.
The broader implications of this policy extend beyond the health sector, as similar measures may soon be applied to other ministries and government agencies. The Federal Government’s renewed focus on tenure limits signals a shift toward stricter governance standards, with the ultimate goal of building a more responsive and results-driven public service. Whether this approach will achieve its intended outcomes remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing public sector reforms.
