Ministry of health orders immediate retirement of long-serving directors

The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the immediate disengagement of directors who have spent eight years or more in the directorate cadre, in line with the tenure policy of the federal civil service.

A memo issued to departments, federal hospitals and agencies under the ministry stated that all affected officers must step down with immediate effect and hand over official responsibilities.

The circular, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, who oversees the Office of the Permanent Secretary, said the action follows the Eight-Year Tenure Policy contained in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021, which mandates compulsory retirement for directors after eight years in the rank.

Heads of agencies and parastatals were instructed to ensure that impacted staff return all government property and documents, while the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System unit halts their salaries. Any payments made beyond their disengagement dates are to be refunded to the treasury.

The ministry also requested institutions to submit updated nominal rolls of directorate-level officers to facilitate monitoring, warning that non-compliance would attract sanctions.

The directive aligns with a recent enforcement order from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which asked all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to strictly apply the tenure limits.

The revised Public Service Rules, approved by the Federal Executive Council and operational since July 2023, stipulate a four-year tenure for permanent secretaries, renewable based on performance, and an eight-year maximum tenure for directors.

Officials said compliance checks will be conducted to ensure the policy is fully implemented across the health sector.