The Nigerian Civil Service consists of employees in Nigerian government agencies other than the military and police. Most employees are career civil servants in the Nigerian ministries, progressing based on qualifications and seniority. Recently the head of the service has been introducing measures to make the ministries more efficient and responsive to the public. The Nigerian Civil Service has its origins in organizations established by the British in colonial times. History Nigeria gained full independence in October 1960 under a constitution that provided for a parliamentary government and a substantial measure of self-government for the country's three regions. Since then, various panels have studied and made recommendations for reforming of the Civil Service, including the Margan Commission of 1963, the Adebo Commission of 1971 and the Udoji Commission of 1972–74.
A major change occurred with the 1979 adoption of a constitution modeled on that of the United States. The Dotun Philips Panel of 1985 attempted to reform the Civil Service. The 1988 Civil Service Reorganization Decree promulgated by General Ibrahim Babangida had a major impact on the structure and efficiency of the Civil Service. The later report of the Ayida Panel made recommendations to reverse some of the past innovations and to return to the more efficient Civil Service of earlier years. The Civil Service has been undergoing gradual and systematic reforms and restructuring since May 29, 1999 after decades of military rule. However, the civil service is still considered stagnant and inefficient, and the attempts made in the past by panels have had little effect.
In August 2009, the Head of the Civil Service, Stephen Osagiede Oronsaye, proposed reforms where permanent secretaries and directors would spend a maximum of eight years in office. The reform, approved by President Umaru Yar'Adua, would result in massive retirement of Permanent Secretaries and Directors, many of whom are from the North. Stephen Oronsaye has said that his goal is for the Nigerian civil service to be among the best organized and managed in the world. Oronsaye retired in November 2010 at the statutory age of 60 and was succeeded by Oladapo Afolabi.
On November 10, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari summoned all the permanent secretaries to the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock and compulsorily retired 17 of them; their retirement in force with immediate effect.
It launched the International Civil Service Conference (ICSC), in 2025, bringing together public sector experts, private sector partners, civil servants and other key stakeholders across the globe.
Structure
Federal Civil Service Commission
Regional services
Rivers State Civil Service
Lagos State Civil Service Lagos State Civil Service
Ogun State Civil Service Government of Ogun State Parastatals OHCSF has four parastatals which are:
Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON)Administrative Staff College of Nigeria Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) Federal Training Centres (FTCs)
Head of the Civil Service For many years, the post was concurrent with that of Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Head of GovernmentNameTenure StartTenure EndSir Abubakar Tafawa BalewaDr. S. O. Wey1 September 196116 January 1966Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi Yakubu GowonHarlen Anireju Ejueyitchie4 August 196620 December 1970A. A. Atta21 December 197012 June 1972Charles Olatunde Lawson16 August 197231 March 1975Yakubu Gowon Murtala Muhammed Olusegun ObasanjoA. A. Ayida23 April 197531 March 1977Olusegun ObasanjoAdamu Liman Ciroma1 April 197730 September 1979Shehu ShagariShehu Ahmadu Musa1 October 197931 December 1983Muhammadu Buhari Ibrahim BabangidaG. A. Longe1 January 198430 January 1986?Abu Obe??Olusegun ObasanjoYayale Ahmed18 December 2000 26 July 2007Umaru Musa Yar'AduaEbele Ofunneamaka Okeke26 July 200716 June 2008Amal Pepple16 June 2008June 2009Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Goodluck JonathanStephen Osagiede OronsayeJune 200918 November 2010Goodluck JonathanOladapo Afolabi18 November 201029 September 2011Isa Bello Sali29 September 2011August 2015Muhammadu BuhariWinifred Oyo-ItaAugust 201518 September 2019Muhammadu Buhari Bola TinubuFolashade Yemi-Esan18 September 201914 August 2024Bola TinubuDidi Esther Walson-Jack14 August 202426 August 2026Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan27 August 2026present
See also Federal Ministries of Nigeria Politics of Nigeria Civil Service Commission of Nigeria
References