The directive, which was contained in a circular signed by the Director of Administration of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mariya Rufai, was issued on August 3, 2023. It is in line with section 020909 of the revised Public Service Rules (PSR), which was launched by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation on July 28, 2023.
The circular said that the affected directors have until September 30, 2023, to tender their resignation letters. If they fail to do so, they will be retired compulsorily.
The directive has caused a stir in the civil service, with many directors expressing shock and dismay. Some have said that they were not aware of the new tenure limit, while others have argued that they are still capable of serving in the directorate cadre.
The sacking of the directors is part of a broader reform of the civil service, which the Federal Government says is necessary to improve efficiency and transparency. The government has also said that it is planning to introduce a single salary scale for all civil servants, regardless of their grade level.
The sacking of the directors is likely to have a significant impact on the civil service, as they occupy key positions in all government ministries and agencies. It is also likely to lead to a wave of retirements, as many other directors will now be approaching the eight-year tenure limit.
The government has said that it will provide severance packages to the affected directors. However, many of them are still worried about their future, as they may find it difficult to find new jobs at their age.
The sacking of the directors is a major development in the Nigerian civil service, and it remains to be seen how it will play out in the long term. However, it is clear that the government is determined to reform the civil service, and this is likely to have a significant impact on the way it operates.
