The Federal Government is requesting that Federal Civil Servants who are on study leave provide documentation proving they have obtained approval from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
This directive comes following a statement by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, who emphasized the implementation of a system for regular verification of workers to ensure their accurate whereabouts.
The memo, addressed to all permanent secretaries and released in Abuja, on Friday, 22nd March 2024, highlights the government’s concerns over civil servants obtaining admission letters from questionable foreign universities when applying for study leave.
In response, measures such as requiring these workers to sign bonds were introduced in 2022 to prevent the misuse of study leave privileges. Yemi-Esan, in the memo, stressed the importance of physical verification alongside the new directive, stating;
As part of the efforts to sustain the gains of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System, it has become imperative to establish a mechanism for regular physical verification of officers in the service.
Folashade Yemi-Esan – Head of Civil Service of the Federation
Permanent secretaries are instructed to conduct a physical verification exercise of all staff to confirm their locations, with those on study leave required to present evidence of approval from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The results of this exercise, signed by the permanent secretary, are to be submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service by April 2, 2024.
Story: Christy Dung