The Federal Government has introduced stricter controls over the deployment and redeployment of civil servants across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as the administration of President Bola Tinubu moves to strengthen personnel management and address concerns over fake government agencies and ghost workers.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) issued the directive in a circular dated August 24, 2026, warning MDAs against moving officers assigned from recognised professional pools without approval from the appropriate authorities.
Under the new directive, officers posted to specific offices, departments, divisions, units or sections must remain in their designated positions unless their deployment is reviewed and approved by the relevant posting authority.
Permanent secretaries may deploy or redeploy officers on the local staff establishment of their respective MDAs where their services are required. However, officers posted by the OHCSF or other recognised professional pools cannot be internally redeployed without prior approval.
The government said the directive followed observations that some MDAs had continued to move professional officers without obtaining the necessary authorisation, contrary to an earlier circular issued in January 2025.
Limited Exception
The OHCSF stated that officers on Grade Level 07 to 14 who were posted to fill departmental vacancies may be deployed internally where vacancies exist, provided the deployment remains within their appropriate professional pool or cadre.
Where operational needs require a change to an officer’s posting, the matter must be referred to the appropriate authority for approval.
Recognised Professional Pools
The circular identified several professional cadres whose postings are centrally managed, including:
Administrative Officers
Executive Officers (General)
Store Officers
Stock Verifiers
Confidential Secretaries
System/Programme Analysts
Statistical/Data Processing Officers
Library Officers
State Counsels
Procurement Officers
Information, Press and Public Relations Officers
Account Officers
Resident Auditors
The government said the measure is intended to establish a clearer chain of authority and accountability within the Federal Civil Service and prevent arbitrary movement of personnel.
The directive comes amid wider efforts by the Tinubu administration to strengthen government institutions, improve personnel records and address alleged weaknesses that could facilitate the emergence of fake agencies and ghost-worker arrangements.