The Federal Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate disengagement of directors who have served at least eight years in the directorate cadre, effective immediately. The directive affects directors across the ministry, federal hospitals, and affiliated agencies, according to a memo obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday.
The move follows a directive issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, which set a new deadline enforcing the eight-year tenure limit for directors and permanent secretaries across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The PUNCH had exclusively reported the government’s order on Monday.
The memo, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, reminded relevant offices to take necessary action to ensure all officers who have completed eight years as directors, effective 31 December 2025, are disengaged from service immediately.
Officials said the enforcement aligns with the Eight-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, as outlined in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909). The policy is aimed at maintaining efficiency, promoting accountability, and allowing for the rotation of leadership within the federal civil service.
The ministry has directed that all affected offices comply without delay, noting that failure to implement the order could attract administrative sanctions. The move is expected to impact several senior officers and reshape leadership structures across the ministry and its affiliated institutions.