Labour leaders reject Permanent Secretaries’ tenure extension

 .OHCSF affirms commitment to Rule of Law

TRADE union leaders have warned against any violation of the civil service rules in favour any Permanent Secretary or group of persons.

This followed reports that there were plans in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to extend the tenure of the  Permanent Secretary representing FCT in the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Speaking to our reporter on the matter, the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Mohammed Shehu, said; “The extension of the tenure of any Permanent Secretary is not acceptable to us. The appointment is based on single tenure subject to renewal. Any Permanent Secretary that has spent the stipulated two terms, there should be no opportunity to remain in office. Recall we have done with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum, where the woman remained in office after spending two terms of 8 years. We rejected that. So it is applicable to all Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. The appointment is single term subject to renewal for 8 years. Our position is that there should be no more extension as far as it affects the position of any Permanent Secretary. So any Permanent Secretary that has stayed in the office for 8 years should retire and allow other Directors to be considered for elevation to the office of Permanent Secretary. That is our position.”

In his submission on this issue, the National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Mohammad Ibrahim, said; “We oppose any unwarranted extension of tenure for public officers. Such actions block opportunities for others who are due for promotion and can demotivate the entire workforce. Public Service Rules should to be strictly adhere to. We should be careful of setting precedents that will harm our public service.

“Leadership positions should be rotated to give others a chance to serve. Extending tenure without compelling justification sends the wrong message, encourages corruption, and stifles the career progression of others in the civil service.”

Also, the National President of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Makolo Hassan. said; “The right thing should be done. Is the extension for another full four years, or one or two year? It is best the civil service rules is uphold in this case. It is not just for the interest of Nigeria and public service that any one’s tenure of office should be extended..it is a precedent that may later hunt the entire system.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) earlier issued a statement denying that there is a plan to extend the tenure of the Permanent Secretary representing the FCT.

The official statement dated June?18,?2025, signed by Mrs. Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, OHCSF, said: “The OHCSF categorically denies any plan to request the extension of the tenure of either Mr. Aduda or any other Permanent Secretary.”

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The statement further said; “Any decision concerning the retirement or tenure of a Permanent Secretary is made strictly following the rules and subject to the approval of the appropriate authority.”

“The Public Service Rules,?2021, Rule?020909?(b), stipulates that a Permanent Secretary shall hold office for four years and be renewable for a further term of four years, subject to satisfactory performance, and no more. These Rules are indeed the Law.”

Head of the Service, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, reiterated her vow 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, returned in the 2021 edition after being suspended in 2016, set strict limits: four-year terms for Permanent Secretaries, renewable once only, and eight-year caps for directors (and equivalents)  .

Recall that in 2023  Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and civil society organisations publicly condemned repeated extensions during the Buhari era, warning that violations of public service rules erode professional standards and open the door for impunity  .

Titled: “Alleged Plot to Illegally Extend the Tenure of a Serving Permanent Secretary”, the statement in full reads; “The attention of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has been drawn to some online media reports alleging a purported plan by the Ministers of Defence and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to unlawfully extend the tenure of Mr. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The OHCSF categorically denies any plan to request the extension of the tenure of either Mr. Aduda or any other Permanent Secretary. 

“Any decision concerning the retirement or tenure of a Permanent Secretary is made strictly following the rules and subject to the approval of the appropriate authority. We reiterate our unwavering adherence to the Public Service Rules, ensuring a secure and confident system.

“The Public Service  Rules, 2021, Rule 020909 (b), stipulates that a Permanent Secretary shall hold office for four years and be renewable for a further term of four years, subject to satisfactory performance, and no more. These Rules are indeed the Law. They have been enforced and will continue to be applied in the Federal Civil Service.

“The HCSF, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, reiterates her unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, transparency, and due process in managing human resources across the Service. She remains resolute in her commitment to merit-based leadership and accountability in public administration.  Her steadfast commitment to transparency and integrity is a cornerstone of her leadership, ensuring the public’s trust in the Civil Service.

“The public is advised to ignore this and similar publications and avoid spreading misinformation that could create unnecessary tension or undermine public confidence in the Civil Service. We encourage citizens to rely on official sources for accurate information to avoid being misled.”