Serious concern has been raised against tenure extensions beyond statutory retirement age in the Federal Civil Service.
In a strongly-worded petition to President Bola Tinubu by a Concerned Patriot For the Integrity and Renewal of the Public Service, the document drew attention to the growing practice which, it noted, threatened the credibility, renewal, and fairness within the Nigerian Civil Service.
The petition warned that if the practice is not checked, “it may quietly institutionalize injustice and weaken the very reforms the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to achieve.”
The petition, titled ‘Urgent Need to Curb Tenure Extensions Beyond Statutory Retirement in the Civil Service’, was also copied Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu; Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyode.
The petition added: “There is an increasing trend where certain career civil servants are granted tenure extensions beyond their statutory retirement period.
“Though occasionally rationalized on the grounds of continuity, this practice undermines succession planning, stalls institutional rejuvenation, and denies deserving officers opportunities to serve and grow.
Listing the drawbacks of the nefarious practice, it said: “This pattern contravenes the Public Service Rules (PSR) and retirement protocols; erodes morale and institutional equity; risks fostering favoritism and undermining accountability.”
According to the petition, “if not checked, it may quietly institutionalize injustice and weaken the very reforms the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to achieve.
“It is imperative that this administration and all relevant authorities discourage, reject, and investigate such anomalies wherever they exist.
“Strict adherence to civil service regulations must be enforced, and mechanisms to detect and prevent tenure abuses strengthened.
“Nigeria’s future lies in systems that reward fairness, discipline, and forward planning—not selective privileges.
“Thank you for your leadership and anticipated action on this matter of urgent national importance.”
