The Nigerian House of Representatives has demonstrated its commitment to overhauling the nation's public service by initiating a comprehensive process to address critical issues such as age falsification, stagnation in promotions, and the compulsory retirement of directors after eight years in office. These reforms, alongside the consideration of a 30-day bereavement leave policy, were the focal point of a Public Hearing organized by the House Committee on Public Service Matters. The objective of this hearing was to foster open dialogue and gather expert opinions and public views on legislative proposals aimed at enhancing welfare, institutional efficiency, and accountability within the public service.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, highlighted the controversial nature of the policy mandating compulsory retirement for directors. While acknowledging its potential good intentions, he noted that many perceive it as a detrimental practice, leading to a significant loss of talent and invaluable institutional knowledge by prematurely forcing experienced professionals out of service. This concern underscores the need to re-evaluate the policy's impact on leadership continuity and overall productivity within the civil service. Speaker Abbas also drew attention to the pervasive issue of stagnation in promotions within the federal civil service. This problem, he explained, has become a major source of frustration for countless civil servants who, despite years of dedicated service and consistent performance, find their career progression stalled. Such stagnation, he asserted, not only undermines morale and stifles innovation but also weakens the overall effectiveness of the public service. The proposed motion calls for a thorough investigation and recommends structural reforms to reintroduce merit and efficiency into the civil service promotion processes.

Furthermore, the Speaker emphasized the long-standing challenge of age falsification, describing it as a practice that significantly erodes the integrity of the public service system. Age falsification, he detailed, distorts succession planning, creates unfair advantages, and extends unmerited tenure, thereby gravely weakening institutional trust. The motion addressing this malpractice demands a multi-faceted approach, combining technology-driven verification, institutional reform, and robust legal accountability. Speaker Abbas urged all stakeholders to contribute their observations and recommendations to help shape responsive and effective laws that align with both global best practices and local realities.

Beyond these key issues, the public hearing also considered a bill to repeal the National Assembly Service Commission Act of 2014 and replace it with the National Assembly Service Act, 2025. This legislative move aims to ensure that the legislature is supported by an efficient, modern, and professional administrative system capable of meeting the complexities of present-day legislative operations. Additionally, an amendment to the National Assembly Service Pension Board Act (2023) is under consideration. This amendment seeks to reconstitute the membership of the Pension Board, establish a clear and equitable framework for gratuity payments, and create a dedicated fund for the pension scheme. These reforms are deemed a moral imperative to ensure fair and dignified treatment for those who have served the assembly upon retirement.

Sani Bala, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service Matters, underscored the critical importance of the issues being deliberated, emphasizing their direct impact on the government's functioning and the millions of Nigerians reliant on an efficient public service. He reiterated the committee's commitment to thoroughly examine all proposals, engage with stakeholders, and ensure legislative work is conducted diligently, transparently, and in the best interest of the Nigerian people. Bala also stressed the importance of the separation of powers, noting that while each arm of government acts independently, they cooperate to serve the Nigerian populace.

In his remarks, Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), commended the House of Representatives for its initiative to advance the civil service. He specifically advocated for replacing