The Federal Government has directed the immediate disengagement of directors in the Federal Ministry of Health who have spent eight years or more in the directorate cadre.
The directive, contained in an internal memo obtained in Abuja on Tuesday, applies to directors in the ministry, federal hospitals, and affiliated health agencies.
The action follows an earlier government-wide instruction mandating all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to implement the eight-year tenure policy for directors and permanent secretaries, in line with a fresh deadline issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The memo, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, reaffirmed the enforcement of the policy as stipulated in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909).
“Further to the Eight (8)-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, which mandates the compulsory retirement of Directors after eight years in that rank… you are to take necessary action to ensure that all affected officers who have spent eight years as Directors, effective 31st December 2025, are disengaged from Service immediately,” the memo stated.
Heads of agencies and parastatals were also instructed to ensure that affected officers hand over all official documents and government property without delay.
In addition, the circular directed the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Unit to stop the salaries of affected officers. It warned that any emoluments paid beyond their effective date of disengagement must be refunded to the government treasury.
The memo referenced a circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225, dated February 10, 2026, reiterating the government’s position.
Institutions were further directed to forward the nominal roll of all directorate officers on CONMESS 07, CONHESS 15, and CONRAISS 15 salary structures to designated ministry email addresses.
Officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministry of Health are expected to conduct monitoring visits to ensure compliance.
The memo warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract stiff sanctions.
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