Uproar as Ogun Civil Service Commission Rescinds Abiodun’s Approval on Lateral Transfers
There is growing agitation among civil servants in Ogun State following the decision of the State Civil Service Commission (CSC) to rescind the approval earlier granted by Governor Dapo Abiodun in tandem with the approved guidelines of the National Council on Establishment on the lateral transfer of staff from the Executives cadre to the Officers cadre.
According to a circular issued by the Bureau of Establishment and Training on August 5th, 2024, titled, "Adoption of Circular on Conversion of Executive/Superintendent/Technical Cadres To Professional/Officer Cadre In The Public Service", Executive Officers on Grade Levels 14, 13, and 12 seeking to cross to the Officers cadre within the same Ministry Department Agencies (MDAs) were to be placed one grade level below, while those on Grade Levels 10, 09, and 08 would cross on the same grade level without financial implications. The circular, which aligned with the guidelines set by the National Council on Establishments (NCE), and took effect from the 1st of August, 2024, further emphasized that officers seeking such conversion must have acquired the basic academic qualifications as provided in the scheme of service.
On that basis, an advertisement for the conversion was placed by the Ogun State Civil Service Commission which qualified workers applied. However, to the surprise of many workers, the final list of successful candidates released by the CSC reportedly deviated from the Governor’s and NCE's approved directive, leading to widespread discontent within the civil service.
Several affected officers alleged that instead of implementing the Governor’s approval as outlined, the Commission flagrantly “upturned” the lateral transfer directives and placed many officers on lower grade levels. Some were said to have been demoted from Grade Level 14 to 10, 12 to 9, and 10 to 8, contrary to what the circular stated and established practice in other States of the nation.
In some agencies, including the Ministries of Environment and Health, successful candidates were reportedly placed appropriately, while candidates in other MDAs were allegedly downgraded by one or more grade levels, a development that has raised concerns about consistency and fairness in the process.
The affected officers have since appealed to Governor Abiodun, widely known for his pro-labour stance, to personally intervene and address what they described as an “unfair and demoralizing” decision by the Commission.
Meanwhile, civil service stakeholders have called for a transparent review of the exercise, emphasizing the need to uphold due process, equity, and the career progression rights of affected officers.
