FG Enforces Eight-Year Tenure, Orders Immediate Retirement of Health Directors
The Federal Ministry of Health has commenced the immediate implementation of the Federal Government’s eight-year tenure policy, directing the compulsory retirement of Directors who have spent eight years in the Directorate Cadre.
Global Mirror News reports that the directive, which takes immediate effect, applies to Directors within the ministry, Federal Health Institutions, Agencies and Parastatals under its supervision. The order was contained in an internal memo sighted in Abuja on Tuesday February 17, 2026.
The circular, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, referenced the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909), which mandates the compulsory retirement of Directors after eight years in the rank. The memo specified that Officers who completed eight years as of December 31, 2025, must be disengaged without delay.
Heads of Agencies and Parastatals were instructed to ensure that affected Officials immediately hand over all Government property and official documents.
The memo further directed the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Unit to stop the salaries of the disengaged Officers.
Global Mirror News gathered that any emoluments paid beyond the effective date of retirement must be refunded to the Federal Government treasury.
The circular also cited an earlier directive from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225 dated February 10, 2026, reinforcing compliance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Institutions were mandated to forward the nominal roll of all Directorate Officers on CONMESS 07, CONHESS 15 and CONRAISS 15 salary structures to designated Ministry email addresses.
A joint monitoring team from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Health Ministry is expected to oversee compliance.
The memo warned that non-compliance would attract stiff sanctions.
Global Mirror News recalls that the Revised Public Service Rules became operational on July 27, 2023, following approval by the Federal Executive Council in September 2021.
Under Section 020909 of the rules, directors on Grade Level 17 or their equivalents are to compulsorily retire after eight years in the position, while Permanent Secretaries are limited to a four-year tenure subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance.
The enforcement marks a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen discipline and succession planning within the Civil Service.
