Labour Leaders Oppose Proposed Extension of Permanent Secretary’s Tenure
Trade union leaders have expressed strong disapproval of the alleged plans to extend the tenure of the Permanent Secretary or any other public official, asserting that such an action would contravene civil service regulations.
This opposition follows reports of a scheme, in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), to prolong the tenure of the Permanent Secretary representing the FCT in the Federal Ministry of Defence.
Responding to the issue, Mohammed Shehu, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), stated, “We find the extension of any Permanent Secretary’s tenure unacceptable. The appointment is based on a single term, subject to renewal. Once a Permanent Secretary has completed the stipulated two terms, there should be no opportunity for them to remain in office. This was the case with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum, where an official remained in office after serving two terms of eight years, which we rejected. This applies to all Permanent Secretaries within the Federal Civil Service.”
Shehu emphasized that the appointment is a single term, subject to an eight-year renewal, and added, “Our stance is that there should be no further extensions concerning the position of any Permanent Secretary. Any Permanent Secretary who has served for eight years should retire and allow other Directors to be considered for elevation to the office of Permanent Secretary. That is our position.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mohammad Ibrahim, the National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), explained that such actions would obstruct opportunities for those eligible for promotion and could demotivate the entire workforce.
“We oppose any unwarranted extension of tenure for public officers. Public Service Rules must be strictly adhered to. We must be cautious of setting precedents that could harm our public service. Leadership positions should be rotated to allow others a chance to serve. Extending tenure without compelling justification sends the wrong message, encourages corruption, and stifles career progression within the civil service,” he remarked. Similarly, Makolo Hassan, the National President of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), warned that such a move could be detrimental to the public service in the long run.
He stated, “The right course of action should be taken. Is the extension for a full four years or merely one or two years? It is imperative that civil service rules are upheld in this instance. Extending anyone’s tenure of office is not in the best interest of Nigeria and the public service. It sets a precedent that may later haunt the entire system.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) issued a statement denying any plans to extend the tenure of the Permanent Secretary representing the FCT.
The official statement, dated June 18, 2025, and signed by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, OHCSF, affirmed, “The OHCSF categorically denies any plan to request the extension of the tenure of either Mr. Aduda or any other Permanent Secretary.”
According to the statement, any decisions regarding the retirement or tenure of a Permanent Secretary are made strictly in accordance with the rules and subject to the approval of the appropriate authority.
“The Public Service Rules, 2021, Rule 020909 (b), stipulate that a Permanent Secretary shall hold office for four years and be renewable for a further term of four years, contingent on satisfactory performance, and no more. These Rules are indeed the Law.”
Head of the Service, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, reiterated her commitment to uphold due process, transparency, and merit-based leadership, urging the public to disregard misinformation that could undermine the credibility of the civil service.
The current Public Service Rules (PSR), section 020909, reinstated in the 2021 edition after being suspended in 2016, establish strict limits: four-year terms for Permanent Secretaries, renewable once, and eight-year caps for directors and equivalents.
