NIGERIA’s federal government has served notice to its employees that they have been barred from accepting
chieftaincy titles while still in service until after their retirement.
This according to a circular sent to ministries, departments and agencies of government, from the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Bukar Goni Aji.
Where the traditional titles were mandatory by inheritance, “due clearance must be obtained from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the circular read.
A statement was also issued in Abuja by the director of communications in office of the head of service, Mr. Tope Ajakaiye, saying that the new order was necessary as government had noticed the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles by some civil servants, which is against the spirit of the civil service.
“It has come to the notice of the government that some civil servants are I the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and sundry awards,” the statement read, describing it as “inimical to the principles of anonymity, integrity and political neutrality which are the core values of the civil service.”
The statement listed retirement and disengagement as the only conditions that one may accept chieftaincy and other such awards outside of seeking approval from constituted authorities at the place of work.