Nigeria – A major controversy has erupted in the Ogun State Civil Service following the decision of the State Civil Service Commission (CSC) to overturn the directive of Governor Dapo Abiodun and the approved guidelines of the Federal Government’s National Council on Establishments (NCE) on the implementation of the lateral transfer policy for Executive Officers.
The Commission, ProwlingEagles learnt is facing widespread condemnation for what many civil servants describe as a blatant act of defiance against constituted authority, as it allegedly distorted the Governor’s approval and discriminated against officers on the Executive cadre — particularly HND holders — during the conversion exercise.
According to a circular issued by the Bureau of Establishments and Training on August 5, 2024, titled “Adoption of Circular on Conversion of Executive/Superintendent/
The circular, which took effect from August 1, 2024, was in full compliance with the Federal Government’s harmonized scheme of service and duly approved by Governor Abiodun to promote fairness and end years of HND–BSc discrimination in the state public service.
However, the Civil Service Commission reportedly manipulated the implementation, demoting several qualified officers contrary to the approved directive.
Findings revealed that while some ministries, including Environment and Health, followed the Governor’s order, others ignored it, placing officers two to four grade levels below their current positions.
Some affected staff on Grade Level 14 were dropped to Level 10, others from 12 to 9, and 10 to 8, in what has now triggered widespread anger and accusations of bias, injustice, and administrative sabotage.
“This is an open affront to the Governor’s authority and the Federal Government’s establishment policy,” one aggrieved officer said. “The circular is clear and has been implemented in other states without controversy. Why is Ogun State different?”
Another senior civil servant described the Commission’s action as “a dangerous precedent that ridicules executive authority.”
“If a Governor’s approval can be ignored by a Commission, what message are we sending? It shows a divided and polarized civil service where some people think they are above government instructions,” the source added.
Labour watchers have condemned the development, accusing the CSC of undermining workers’ morale and jeopardizing industrial peace.
They warned that such actions could further deepen distrust within the system and resurrect the old rift between Executive Officers and Professional Officers in the state service.
Several affected officers have already petitioned Governor Abiodun, calling for his urgent intervention to reverse the “unfair and demoralizing” postings and ensure strict compliance with both the NCE and state-approved guidelines.
Civil service observers say the controversy has exposed a serious administrative breakdown within the Commission and questioned its respect for constituted authority.
