Tenure Extension: Analyst Urges Bago to Review Service Extensions for Senior Officers
By Aisha Tasarki
A public affairs analyst, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim, has called on the Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, to review the ongoing practice of tenure extensions for senior civil servants in the state.
Speaking on the implications for administrative efficiency, Ibrahim expressed concern that repeated service extensions for retiring top-tier officials undermine succession planning, stifle career progression, and negatively impact staff morale across state ministries and agencies.
He noted that several qualified senior directors who have successfully completed all requisite career advancement processes are currently waiting for opportunities to step into higher leadership roles. According to him, continuing to extend the service years of outgoing personnel denies these eligible officers their earned promotions.
Ibrahim suggested that if the state government considers the expertise of certain retiring officers indispensable, the administration should hire them through advisory, consultancy, or other lawful contract roles rather than retaining them within the permanent civil service hierarchy.
He further appealed to the Head of Service, the Civil Service Commission, and organized labor unions in Niger State to uphold established public service regulations and ensure transparency in managing personnel transitions and civil service promotions.
