Health Ministry Directors ordered to step down immediately as FG enforces the eight-year tenure limit across federal agencies

The Federal Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate disengagement of all directors who have completed eight years in the directorate cadre, the ministry confirmed on Tuesday, February 16, 2026.

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The directive affects directors in federal hospitals, agencies, and departments across the nation.

The memo, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, cited the Eight-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service under the Revised Public Service Rules 2021.

The circular instructs heads of agencies and parastatals to ensure affected officers hand over official documents and possessions immediately, with salaries halted and any emoluments paid beyond the effective date recovered.

The Federal Government’s enforcement of the policy follows a wider directive issued to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, aimed at ensuring compliance with tenure limits for directors and permanent secretaries.

Officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministry of Health will conduct monitoring exercises to verify adherence.

“Failure to comply with this directive will attract stiff sanctions,” the memo warned, emphasising the government’s commitment to maintaining discipline and operational efficiency in the public service.

The revised rules, which took effect from July 27, 2023, also set a four-year tenure limit for permanent secretaries, renewable only upon satisfactory performance.

Directors at grade level 17 or equivalent are compulsorily retired upon completing eight years in the position, underscoring the government’s push for leadership renewal and accountability.

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Civil service analysts have described the directive as a decisive move to reinforce meritocracy and operational effectiveness within federal institutions, highlighting the importance of periodic leadership transition in public administration.