Revised Public Service Rule in Nigerian MDAs: Retired Directors Refuse to Resign

The Nigerian Federal Civil Service has recently witnessed a significant change with the introduction of the revised Public Service Rule (PSR) and circular issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The new rule aims to address stagnation issues among deputy directors and facilitate their promotion to the position of director. As per the revised PSR, directors who have served for more than eight years on Grade Level 17 are required to proceed on compulsory retirement. However, despite the directive, a considerable number of directors in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have failed to comply. This blog post explores the challenges faced in implementing the revised PSR and the implications of non-compliance.

The journey towards revising the PSR began in 2011 when the Presidential Committee on the Restructuring and Rationalisation of Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies was constituted. The committee recommended reducing the number of federal agencies, merging some, abolishing others, and reverting some to departments in ministries. However, the implementation of the recommendations faced delays and was eventually suspended until November 2021 when the revised PSR was introduced.

The revised PSR, which became operational on July 27, 2023, introduced several changes to the federal civil service. One of the key provisions is the compulsory retirement of directors after eight years on Grade Level 17. This rule aims to create opportunities for deputy directors who have been stagnated on Grade Level 16 for an extended period. Additionally, the revised PSR sets a four-year term for permanent secretaries, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance evaluations.

Despite the clear directive from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, compliance with the revised PSR has been largely deficient in many MDAs. While some ministries have shown commitment to the new rule, compliance is notably lacking in departments and agencies. For instance, in one anti-graft agency, all five affected directors are still holding onto their positions, disregarding the federal government directive. This pattern of non-compliance is a cause for concern as it undermines the intended objectives of the revised PSR.

The failure to comply with the new retirement directive for directors can have several implications. Firstly, it hampers the career progression of deputy directors who have been waiting for an opportunity to assume higher positions. The stagnation of these officers affects their motivation and can lead to a decline in overall productivity within the civil service. Secondly, the non-compliance perpetuates a culture of disregard for rules and directives within the MDAs. This undermines the efficiency and effectiveness of the service, hindering the government's efforts to improve governance and service delivery.

The revised Public Service Rule (PSR) introduced by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation aimed to address stagnation issues in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service. However, the compliance with the new retirement directive for directors has been deficient in many ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). The non-compliance not only hampers the career progression of deserving officers but also undermines the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service. It is crucial for the relevant authorities to address the challenges in implementing the revised PSR and ensure strict compliance to achieve the intended objectives of the rule.