Nigerian Federal Government Banned Civil Servants From Accepting Chieftaincy Titles

The Federal Government on Wednesday banned civil servants from taking chieftaincy titles until after their retirement. The governmment said defaulters would be sacked from office.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, made this known in a circular sent to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. Aji however directed that where the traditional titles were mandatory by inheritance, "due clearance must be obtained from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation" through his office.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Director (Communications) in the Office of the HOS, Mr. Tope Ajakaiye, said "it has come to the notice of government that some civil servants are in the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and sundry awards, an act, which is inimical to the principles of anonymity, integrity and political neutrality which are the core values of the civil service."

The statement reads in part, "Federal Civil Servants have been banned from accepting chieftaincy titles and other sundry awards until after their retirement or disengagement from the civil service."

In a circular sent to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji said that it has come to the notice of government that some civil servants are in the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and sundry awards, an act, which he said, is inimical to the principles of anonymity, integrity and political neutrality which are the core values of the civil service."