In a bold move to restore the dignity of civil service and entrench strict adherence to due process, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack has condemned the corruption tendencies and flagrant disregard for rules and regulation as well as extant circulars and laws guiding the Service.
Walson-Jack who is said to have been disappointed with how some members of staff of ministries especially Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its agencies mismanage staff matters.
MMS Plus gathered she was particularly miffed with the alleged dehumanization of former acting Registrar/CEO of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria(CRFFN),Mrs.Chinyere Uromta by her superiors.
In a circular titled: “Adherence to Public Service Rules and Due Process in Establishment Matters”,dated July 8,2025 and signed by Walson-Jack herself, she noted that her office had been inaundated with complaints, petitions and appeals from aggrieved public servants across Ministries,Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies(MDAs).
She added that these deluge of complaints border largely on improper management of discipline, promotion, secondment, tenure,leave of absence and retirement notices, adding that there had been cases of gross abuse of special promotion, where officers were elevated with due process.
Regretting that ignorance, indifference ,bias, negligence and inducements compel people ignore the rules by officers and supervisors, she emphasized that” the Public Service is an age-long institution governed by Rules”
Walson-Jack said that “Upon review of these establishment cases, it has become evident that a significant number were poorly managed at the MDA level ,particularly by the relevant line Officers. In some instances, courageous aggrieved staff have resorted to legal action, threatened to do so, or sought the approval of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to proceed to court. Many others, however, remain silent and feel frustrated due to fear of victimization or lack of confidence in the system.
“The mishandling of cases has not only embarrassed the Federal Govemment but,in some cases,resulted in court judgments with significant financial implications. It is equally worrisome that many officers
affected by such inappropriate handling of cases are themselves unfamiliar with the rules and guiding documents that regulate their conduct and conditions of service.” The circular added.
However,to ensure consistent compliance and sound decision-making, the Head of Service announced that key publications must be referred and cited when handling establishment matters. They include: Public Service Rules (PSR)2021 Edition -issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Guidelines on Appointments, Discipline,and Promotion -issued by the Federal Civil Service Commission;Civil Service Handbook-issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Guide to Administrative Procedures in the Federal Public Service -issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Others are: Schemes of Service -issued by the Office of the Head of the
Civil Service of the Federation; Extant Circulars issued from time-to-time by authorized government Agencies and accessible on the Online Compendium of Federal Circulars available on the website of
the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation www.ohcsf.gov.ng;and Relevant Laws and Subsidiary Legislation. These documents are to be consulted individually and collectively, as applicable, to ensure well-informed, fair, and objective decisions on personnel and establishment issues.
“In light of the foregoing, the attention of all Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Human Resource Management, as well as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)and Directors-General (DGs)of government parastatals and agencies are hereby drawn to these documents for proper study and guidance.
They are advised to familiarize themselves with the content of the aforementioned publications and to take great interest in the oversight of personnel matters, including appointments ,promotions, and disciplinary actions within their respective MDAs.
“Similarly, all Public Servants are encouraged to go beyond reading these materials solely for the purpose of passing promotion examinations ,and to truly understand their contents to implement them accordingly, as well as protect their rights and benefits under the extant Rules.
According to her, going forward, any establishment matter found to have been mishandled will attract appropriate sanctions in line with the PSR for the officer(s)involved.
