The Federal Ministry of Health has issued a directive ordering the immediate disengagement of all directors (Grade Level 17) in federal health institutions who have completed eight years in that position, in line with the Federal Public Service’s mandatory tenure policy.
In a circular dated February 16, 2026, and addressed to Chief Executives of federal health agencies, medical directors, registrars, and other heads of institutions, the ministry stated that the Revised Public Service Rules (PSR 020909) mandate compulsory retirement for directors who have spent eight years in the directorate cadre.
The circular, signed by the Director of Human Resource Management, Tetshoma Dafeta, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, directed all affected officers who had reached the eight-year limit as of December 31, 2025, to “be disengaged from service immediately.”
The circular further instructed heads of agencies to ensure that the officers handed over all official documents and property without delay. They are also required to stop the salaries of the affected officials through the IPPIS platform and compel them to refund any earnings received after their effective disengagement date.
The ministry referenced a related circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on 10 February 2026, reinforcing the enforcement of the tenure rule across the public service.
As part of compliance measures, all institutions are mandated to forward an updated nominal roll of all directorate-level officers, including those on CONMESS 07, CONHESS 15, and CONRAISS 15 to designated ministry emails.
The ministry also disclosed that officials from both the OHCSF and the Ministry of Health will begin monitoring visits to ensure full implementation of the directive. Institutions that fail to comply with the provisions, especially those related to disengagement and salary stoppage, will face “stiff sanctions,” the circular warned.
BY PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Health has issued a directive ordering the immediate disengagement of all directors (Grade Level 17) in federal health institutions who have completed eight years in that position, in line with the Federal Public Service’s mandatory tenure policy.
In a circular dated February 16, 2026, and addressed to Chief Executives of federal health agencies, medical directors, registrars, and other heads of institutions, the ministry stated that the Revised Public Service Rules (PSR 020909) mandate compulsory retirement for directors who have spent eight years in the directorate cadre.
The circular, signed by the Director of Human Resource Management, Tetshoma Dafeta, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, directed all affected officers who had reached the eight-year limit as of December 31, 2025, to “be disengaged from service immediately.”
The circular further instructed heads of agencies to ensure that the officers handed over all official documents and property without delay. They are also required to stop the salaries of the affected officials through the IPPIS platform and compel them to refund any earnings received after their effective disengagement date.
The ministry referenced a related circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on 10 February 2026, reinforcing the enforcement of the tenure rule across the public service.
As part of compliance measures, all institutions are mandated to forward an updated nominal roll of all directorate-level officers, including those on CONMESS 07, CONHESS 15, and CONRAISS 15 to designated ministry emails.
The ministry also disclosed that officials from both the OHCSF and the Ministry of Health will begin monitoring visits to ensure full implementation of the directive. Institutions that fail to comply with the provisions, especially those related to disengagement and salary stoppage, will face “stiff sanctions,” the circular warned.
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