Tension has gripped the civil service following President Bola Tinubu’s alleged decision to stay the appointment of the new acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The action was taken after the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation advised that the appointment could only be made after the terminal leave of the current AGF, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein, expires, according to sources that spoke to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
The sources said that the Head of Service argued that appointing an acting AGF while the substantive office holder is yet to complete the retirement process violates public service rules.
Madein, reportedly caught off guard by the announcement of her successor, insisted on completing her mandatory pre-retirement formalities before relinquishing her position.
The situation has caused unrest within the civil service amid claims that the Head of Service may have misled the President regarding the Federal Government Public Service Rules, specifically Section 120243.
This section outlines that civil servants must give three months’ notice of their retirement, during which they are expected to attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop and spend the remaining two months ensuring a smooth transition and proper documentation of their records.
The sources said that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation might have “wrongly” advised President Bola Tinubu against appointing a new AGF until March 7, 2025, when the tenure of Madein expires.
One of the sources noted that Tinubu was “perfectly in order in making the popular appointment.”
The sources noted that the rules do not require the outgoing AGF to remain in active service during this period.
It was learnt that President Tinubu’s appointment of Ogunjimi was in line with public service rules, as Madein ought to have disengaged from active service by December 7, 2024.
According to Section 120243 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules, “Officers are required to give three months’ notice to retire from Service before the effective date of retirement.
“At the commencement of three months, Officers should proceed immediately on the mandatory one-month pre-retirement workshop/seminar.
“For the remaining two months, retiring Officers are expected to take necessary measures to put their records straight so as to facilitate the speedy processing of their retirement benefits.”
A similar interpretation of the rules was applied during the tenure of a former Head of Service, Mr Danladi Kifasi, who vacated his position under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after issuing the requisite notice.
A source within the civil service alleged that the Head of Service’s advisory was influenced by opposition to the President’s choice of Ogunjimi.
The source said, “We learnt the President stayed action on Ogunjinmi’s appointment because of an advisory from the Head of the Civil Service. It is not mandatory for the outgoing AGF to be in office for the next three months.
“A civil servant going on retirement has skeletal engagement to do in office after 35 years. Actually, he or she should be preoccupied with the transition to a new occupant of the office.
“The President must end this sit-tight syndrome in public service. What we now experience is for workers not to go on pre-retirement leave. They work till the last day.
“This is exactly what is happening in this case of the new AGF, whose appointment did not have the endorsement of either the Head of the Civil Service or the outgoing AGF.
“There is a plot to reverse the appointment of Ogunjimi by turning the Public Service Rules upside down.
“I think some forces were not happy with the President’s choice of Ogunjimi and they want to use civil service rules to scuttle it. They already knew the President is a due process man.
“Barrister Danladi Kifasi was Head of Service under Buhari, he gave three months’ notice and retired. There is a need for consistency and time to eschew nepotism.”
The President appointed Ogunjimi as Acting AGF on December 10, 2024, citing his extensive qualifications and over 30 years of experience in financial management.
Ogunjimi, described as the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, previously served as Director of Funds in the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement announcing the appointment, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the decision was taken to ensure a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria’s treasury and to consolidate ongoing reforms in treasury policy.
Onanuga added that Ogunjimi’s appointment takes immediate effect, following the commencement of Madein’s pre-retirement leave.
However, tensions remain high, with some describing the Head of Service’s stance as an attempt to undermine the President’s authority
A retired Permanent Secretary, who spoke in confidence, urged the President to address what they describe as a growing “sit-tight syndrome,” where officials refuse to commence pre-retirement leave as required.
The source said, “This is an attempt to overrule the President by the Head of the Civil Service. This is abnormal.
“Was the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission not removed despite the fact he has up till August 2025 to complete his second term in office?
“No one can choose a team the President should work with for him.”
The controversy highlights the need for consistency in applying public service rules and clarity in leadership transitions to maintain trust in governance.
When contacted for a comment on Wednesday, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the AGF, Bawa Mokwa, said he was not aware of the development.
