‘Tenure Extensions For Civil Servants Undermine Renewed Hope Agenda’

A civil society group, Concerned Patriots for the Integrity and Renewal of the Public Service, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, urging immediate action against the growing practice of granting tenure extensions to civil servants beyond their statutory retirement age.

In the petition, the group warned that the trend threatens fairness, institutional renewal, and the credibility of the civil service, directly contradicting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The petition, signed by the group’s leader, Mr. Ademola Adegoke, cited Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Public Service Rule 020810, which mandates compulsory retirement at 60 or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.

“No officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service,” the petition stated, emphasising that the law is unambiguous.

The document, titled “Urgent Need to Curb Tenure Extensions Beyond Statutory Retirement in the Civil Service,” was also addressed to key government officials, including:  Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu and EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede.

The group expressed concern over an “increasing trend where certain career civil servants are granted tenure extensions beyond their statutory retirement period.

“Though occasionally rationalised on the grounds of continuity, this practice undermines succession planning, stalls institutional rejuvenation, and denies deserving officers opportunities to serve and grow,” the petition reads.

The group outlined several drawbacks, including Violations of Public Service Rules (PSR) and retirement protocols, Erosion of morale and institutional equity, and the Risk of fostering favouritism and weakening accountability.

“If not checked, it may quietly institutionalise injustice and weaken the reforms the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to achieve,” the petition warned.

The group urged the Tinubu administration to discourage and reject tenure extensions beyond statutory limits, investigate existing cases of abuse, and strengthen mechanisms to detect and prevent violations.

“Nigeria’s future lies in systems that reward fairness, discipline, and planning, not selective privileges,” the petition stated.

The petition further highlighted growing concerns over transparency and meritocracy in Nigeria’s civil service, calling for strict adherence to regulations to safeguard the integrity of public institutions.