Ignore misleading report, revised HTACOS to improve efficiency — DHQ

The Nigerian military high command has reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s draft Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) is to promote efficiency and overall welfare of personnel.

Spokesman of the military, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, made the disclosure today.

According to him, the attention of the Defence Headquarters was drawn to some media publications insinuating that the draft HTACOS for military officers are causing tension in the Services, as many are planning to leave the service due to unfavourable terms contained in the draft document.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the current HTACOS was signed by the then President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017 and is to be reviewed every five years. Gleaning from that background, the review is overdue.

“The current leadership of the AFN has kick-started the process of reviewing the 2017 HTACOS, which is long overdue. The committee of officers involved in the review comprises members from the three services and across different professions in the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). As it stands, the draft is actually intended to be refined further by inputs from stakeholders.

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“Pertinently, the document is aimed at enhancing efficiency and the general welfare of the members of the AFN and also focuses on the effective discharge of the AFN’s constitutional mandate, especially in this period when the AFN is engaged in addressing multiple security challenges across the nation and even beyond the shores of Nigeria. Consequently, it would be counterproductive to target or retard the growth or progression of any category of officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as suggested by the media reports.

“Apparently, the publication clearly shows a lack of in-depth research, as it could have consulted appropriate authorities instead of relying on hearsay. The DHQ seizes this opportunity to call on all Nigerians, particularly members of the Armed Forces, to disregard such publications and revert to the proper channels of communication as laid down by the AFN.”