Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has directed all directors who have spent eight years in the directorate cadre by December 31, 2025, to disengage from service with immediate effect.

According to a memo issued yesterday by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health, Tetshoma Dafeta, the directors affected include those in the ministry, federal hospitals, and agencies, among others.

Confirming the development to The Guardian, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the memo complied with the directive from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation. “The circular emanated from there and we only just sent it out as directed,” he stated.

When asked the number of directors affected by the directive, Kachollom said: “I wouldn’t know. The circular was just sent out, and until they make returns, I can’t say”.

The memo issued by the ministry reads: “Further to the Eight-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, which mandates the compulsory retirement of directors after eight years in that rank, as provided in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021(PSR 020909) copy attached, I am directed to remind you to take necessary action to ensure that all affected officers who have spent eight years as directors, effective 31st December, 2025, are disengaged from service immediately.

“Accordingly, all heads of agencies and parastatals are, by this circular, to ensure that the affected staff hand over all official documents/possessions with immediate effect, their salaries are stopped by the IPPIS Unit and mandate the officers to refund to the treasury all emoluments paid after their effective date of disengagement.

“This is reiterated in a circular recently issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225, dated 10th February 2026. A copy is herewith attached for guidance, please. In addition, you are to forward the nominal roll of all directorate officers (CONMESS 07/CONHESS 15/CONRAISS 15) in your institution, send to [email protected].