The Nigerian government, via the Federal Ministry of Health, has ordered the immediate removal of directors who have served eight years or longer in the directorate cadre.
Those affected include directors in the ministry, federal hospitals and affiliated agencies, according to a memo obtained in Abuja on Tuesday.
The development follows an earlier directive mandating all ministries, departments, and agencies, MDAs, to implement the eight-year tenure policy for directors and permanent secretaries, in line with a fresh deadline issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
In the memo signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, who oversees the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, the enforcement of the policy was reiterated.
“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, as provided in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909) copy attached, 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 read.
The circular further instructed all heads of agencies and parastatals to ensure that affected officers hand over official documents and government property without delay.
It also directed that their salaries be stopped by the IPPIS Unit and that any emoluments paid beyond their effective date of disengagement be refunded to the treasury.
The memo added, “This is reiterated in a circular recently issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225, dated 10 February 2026. A copy is herewith attached for guidance, please.
“In addition, you are to forward the nominal roll of all directorate officers (CONMESS 07/CONHESS 15/CONRAISS 15) in your institution to DHRM@health.gov.ng and Agudosi.obinna@health.gov.ng. You may please note that officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministry will conduct a monitoring exercise to ensure compliance.
“Failure to adhere to paragraph 2 above shall be met with stiff sanctions”.
