Maha Christopher
The Federal Government has given civil servants performing human resource functions across ministries, departments and agencies a 12 month deadline to obtain approved professional certifications as part of efforts to professionalise human resource management in the Federal Civil Service.
According to an exclusive circular obtained by The Punch from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, officers currently serving in HR related roles have been granted a one year moratorium to acquire recognised certifications or risk becoming ineligible for deployment to key personnel management positions.
The circular, addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies and parastatals, stated that the directive was issued in furtherance of earlier policies aimed at professionalising human resource management in the Federal Civil Service.
It outlined certification requirements, transitional arrangements and conditions for deploying administrative cadre officers to HR roles across the service.
The document defined HR functions to include workforce planning and recruitment, onboarding, employee records management, performance management, career progression, training and capacity development, staff welfare, discipline, industrial relations, exit management and other duties approved by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
It stated that only certifications obtained from approved institutions would be recognised, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Human Resource Certification Institute and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources.
The circular added that other certification bodies could be recognised in future subject to approval by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“A moratorium period of 12 months from the date of this circular is granted to all affected officers to obtain approved HR certifications,” the circular stated.
It further noted that officers may remain in their current positions or be deployed to HR duties during the transition period, provided they present verifiable evidence of enrolment and show progress toward obtaining certification within six months of the circular’s issuance.
The directive stated that after the expiration of the moratorium, possession of an approved HR certification would become mandatory for deployment to human resource roles across HR departments in the Federal Civil Service, the Career Management Office, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Service Welfare Office and the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The policy takes immediate effect, with ministries, departments and agencies directed to ensure full compliance.
The move forms part of broader reforms introduced by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to strengthen professionalism, improve efficiency in personnel administration and align Nigeria’s civil service with global best practices in human resource management.
