FG Mandates Professional HR Certification for Civil Servants, Sets One-Year Compliance Deadline

The Federal Government has directed all civil servants carrying out human resource functions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to obtain approved professional certifications within one year, in a move aimed at strengthening professionalism and efficiency in the Federal Civil Service.

The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack. The policy forms part of ongoing reforms designed to professionalise human resource management and align public service practices with international standards.

Under the new requirement, officers currently performing HR-related duties, as well as those seeking deployment into human resource roles, must obtain recognised professional certifications from approved local or international institutions within a 12-month transition period. The government said the measure is intended to enhance competence, ethical conduct and service delivery across federal institutions.

According to the circular, HR functions covered by the directive include recruitment and workforce planning, onboarding, employee records management, performance evaluation, training and development, staff welfare, compensation administration, industrial relations, disciplinary procedures and exit management.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed the role of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria as the statutory regulatory body for human resource practice in Nigeria. In addition to certifications issued by CIPM, selected international qualifications from recognised HR professional bodies have also been approved for compliance purposes.

Officials noted that the initiative is expected to improve workforce management standards, promote accountability and strengthen institutional capacity across the Federal Civil Service. The directive takes immediate effect, with full compliance expected within one year. Civil servants who fail to obtain the required certifications after the transition period may no longer be eligible to occupy HR-related positions within federal MDAs.