The House of Representatives has intensified efforts to reform the public service, with a focus on age falsification, career stagnation, and the controversial policy mandating directors’ retirement after eight years in office.
The House Committee on Public Service Matters on Friday held a public hearing to gather expert and stakeholder input on several motions and bills.
Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, said the legislative proposals address key issues of staff welfare, institutional efficiency, and public accountability.
One motion seeks to abolish the policy of compulsory retirement for directors after eight years, regardless of their age or remaining years of service.
“While the policy was well-intentioned, it risks the loss of valuable experience and institutional knowledge,” he said.
Another motion addresses stagnation in federal civil service promotions, which Tajudeen said has become a source of frustration among long-serving and high-performing officers.
“This stagnation harms morale, stifles innovation, and weakens public service delivery,” he said.
Also under consideration is a motion to investigate and curb age falsification—a long-standing issue undermining succession planning, fairness, and institutional trust.
The Speaker said proposed reforms include technology-driven verification systems, institutional overhaul, and legal enforcement.
Further proposals include repealing the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2014 and enacting a revised version in 2025 as well as amending the National Assembly Service Pension Board Act (2023) to restructure the board, establish fair gratuity frameworks, and create a dedicated pension fund.
“These reforms are essential to ensure that dedicated civil servants are treated with dignity during and after their service,” Tajudeen said.
Chairman of the House Committee, Sani Bala, reiterated that the hearing is not a mere formality but a national responsibility to reform governance and strengthen public trust.
President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, applauded the initiative but proposed replacing the term “widowhood leave” with “bereavement leave” to ensure inclusivity and equity.
“This law should provide for 100 per cent salary during the leave period, allowing employees to recover emotionally and return more productive,” Ajaero said, citing examples from countries such as South Africa and France.
