President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have decided to postpone the appointment of Mr. Shelmsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, the next Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, based on the advise of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, causing a new stress in the Federal Civil Service.
According to high-ranking sources, the Head of the Civil Service believed that the appointment could only be made when the substantive AGF, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, had a final leave of absence.
It was also reported that she stated that having an acting AGF and a substantive AGF while the former had not yet finished the retirement process was incorrect.
After being taken by surprise when a new AGF was appointed without consulting her, Madein insisted on finishing her required retirement procedures before resigning.
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There is already strain in the civil service, which has led to some high-level rumblings when it was found that the head of the civil service had “misled” the president about the Federal Government Public Service Rules about the retirement process.
Specifically, the application of Federal Government Public Service Rules Section 120243 was in dispute.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was allegedly urged “erroneously” by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation not to name a new AGF until March 7, 2025, when Madein’s term ends.
Yet, it was disclosed that President Tinubu had made the popular choice “perfectly in order.”
Additionally, it was discovered that Mr. Danladi Kifasi, the previous head of the Federation’s civil service, had chosen to depart the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari by adopting the same branch of the public service.
In accordance with Federal Government Public Service Rules Section 120243, Madein should have resigned on December 7, 2024.
Officers must give three months’ notice before the retirement date in order to leave the service, according to the statement.
“Officers must attend the required one-month pre-retirement workshop/seminar at the start of the three-month period.”It is expected of departing officers to take the appropriate steps to correct their records within the final two months in order to expedite the processing of their retirement benefits.
Why does Tinubu not act on AGF?
An informed civil service source stated: “We have learned that the President halted Ogunjinmi’s nomination due to a recommendation from the Head of the Civil Service. For the next three months, the departing AGF is not required to remain in office.
“After thirty-five years, a government official who is retiring has minimal work to accomplish in office. The transfer to a new office occupier should actually be his or her main focus.
In public service, the president needs to put a stop to the sit-tight syndrome. Nowadays, we see employees not taking pre-retirement leave. Until the very end, they work.
In the instance of the new AGF, whose nomination was not approved by the outgoing AGF or the Head of the Civil Service, this is precisely what would occur.
Plot complexity increases
There is an attempt to overturn Ogunjimi’s appointment by inverting the Public Service Rules.
“I believe that certain forces were unhappy with the President’s selection of Ogunjimi and are attempting to thwart it through the use of civil service regulations. They were already aware that the President upholds due process.
With three months’ notice, Barrister Danladi Kifasi, Buhari’s Head of Service, retired. To avoid nepotism, one must be consistent and patient.
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“This is an attempt to overrule the President,” added a retired Permanent Secretary, speaking in confidence. It’s not typical.
Did the Universal Basic Education Commission’s (UBEC) Executive Secretary remain in his position even though he has until August 2025 to finish his second term?
“The President can’t pick a team to work with on his behalf.”
The announcement of Ogunjimi’s appointment
On December 10, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu named Ogunjimi the Federation’s Acting Accountant General (AGF).
His appointment takes effect immediately after the present AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, takes her pre-retirement leave, according to a statement from Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).
“President Tinubu guarantees a smooth transition in the management of Nigeria’s treasury and consolidates the implementation of the current administration’s treasury policy reforms,” Onanuga stated in naming Madein’s replacement.
Being the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and a career civil servant, Mr. Ogunjimi provides more than 30 years of vast expertise in both public and private financial management.
Among his notable roles have been Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of Funds at the OAGF.
Mr. Ogunjimi holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting. He is also a certified fraud examiner, accountant, stockbroker, and security and investment specialist.
During his remarks regarding the appointment, President Tinubu said, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is pivotal to our nation’s treasury management operations,” demonstrating his faith in Mr. Ogunjimi. As our economic reform agenda progresses, Mr. Ogunjimi’s extensive expertise and exceptional competence will guarantee this crucial institution’s ongoing efficacy.
