The Federal Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate retirement of directors who have completed eight years or more in the directorate cadre.
A memo seen by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday revealed that the directive covers directors across the ministry, federal hospitals, and its affiliated agencies.
The directive follows a Federal Government policy enforcing an eight-year tenure limit for directors and permanent secretaries in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the memo stated:
“In line with the Eight-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, directors who have completed eight years in rank as of December 31, 2025, are to retire immediately.”
The circular instructed agency heads to ensure retiring directors return all official documents and properties, suspend salaries via the IPPIS system, and recover any payments made beyond their official disengagement date.
Institutions are also required to submit a nominal roll of affected officers to the ministry for monitoring purposes.
The ministry warned that non-compliance with the order would attract severe sanctions.
The policy was anchored in the Revised Public Service Rules (PSR) 2021, which were implemented on July 27, 2023.
Former Head of the Civil Service, Folasade Yemi-Esan, had announced the enforcement of the rules during the 2023 Civil Service Week at the State House, Abuja.
Under Section 020909 of the Revised PSR, directors (GL 17) or equivalent positions must retire after eight years in office, while permanent secretaries serve a four-year term, renewable only based on satisfactory performance.
