The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enforce the eight-year tenure limit for directors and permanent secretaries, following a new deadline set through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Recall that in July 2023, the former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, announced the commencement of the revised Public Service Rules.

Speaking at a lecture at the State House, Abuja, to mark the 2023 Civil Service Week, Yemi-Esan stated that the revised PSR took effect from July 27, 2023.

The Head of Service issued a circular addressed to Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General for the Federation, and heads of extra-ministerial departments, informing them of the revised rules.

“Following the approval of the revised Public Service Rules (PSR) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on September 27, 2021, and its subsequent unveiling during the public service lecture in commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week, the PSR has become operational with effect from July 27, 2023,” the circular read.

According to Section 020909 of the revised PSR, the tenure limit for permanent secretaries is four years, with a possible renewal based only on satisfactory performance.

The rules also stipulate that a director (GL 17) or its equivalent shall compulsorily retire after eight years in that position.

Investigations by The PUNCH revealed that while some MDAs, such as the Federal Ministry of Finance, implemented the rules immediately, others failed to do so.

In August 2025, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria raised concerns over plans to extend the tenure of certain directors and permanent secretaries, warning against violations of civil service rules.

However, in a memo released on February 10, 2026, signed by the current Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, MDAs were accused of inconsistent implementation of the tenure system.

“Further to the issuance of the Circular, Ref. No. HCSF/CMO/002/S.1/VOL.IV/315 dated January 9, 2014, and Rule 020909 of the Public Service Rules, 2021, this circular reiterates the applicability of the eight-year tenure policy for directors across the Federal Public Service.

“This reminder has become necessary following observations that the implementation of the Eight-Year Tenure Policy for Directors has been haphazard and inconsistent across MDAs in breach of Rule 020909 of Public Service Rules, 2021 Edition.

“Consequently, Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government-owned Agencies are hereby informed that the rule on the Eight-Year tenure for Directors is still in force and should be implemented accordingly.

“To ensure compliance with this circular, you are hereby requested to submit to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, for monitoring and record purposes, the following documents: an annual report on the status of implementation of the Eight-Year tenure policy in your MDA, on or before February 28 of every year; and the monthly Nominal Roll of your MDA.

“Note that non-compliance with these directives will attract appropriate administrative consequences. Kindly bring the content of this Circular to the attention of all concerned, for strict compliance.” (PUNCH)

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