The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has launched a crackdown on retired civil servants still occupying government offices. In a statement, the commission's Acting Executive Chairman, Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, announced that retired officers have 48 hours to vacate their offices. This move aims to enforce compliance with the state's Civil Service Rules, which prohibit retired officers from continuing to occupy government offices and receiving salaries.
The PCACC's action follows a directive by the Head of Civil Service in Circular No. 10/2026, dated October 6, 2026. The circular instructed all retired officers to hand over immediately. The commission described the continued stay of retired officers in service, collection of salaries, and use of government property after statutory retirement as clear violations of the state's Civil Service Rules.
The commission has directed all Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Administration in the state civil service to submit lists of officers who had retired by age or years of service but were still occupying government offices. They must provide these lists by Friday, October 10, 2026. This measure aims to identify and address cases of retired officers still in service.
The PCACC warned that any officer found to have received, or aided the receipt of, salary after retirement would be investigated. To encourage reporting, the commission has announced a confidential whistleblower channel. Through this channel, civil servants can report retired officers who remain in office. The public and civil servants with relevant information are urged to contact the commission.
The enforcement effort is aimed at preventing financial losses to the state arising from continued payment of salaries to officers who have exited the service. By addressing this issue, the commission seeks to promote accountability and transparency in the state's civil service. The PCACC's initiative has been welcomed as a step towards curbing corruption and ensuring efficient use of state resources.
The issue of retired civil servants still occupying government offices and receiving salaries has been a longstanding concern in Kano State. The PCACC's crackdown is expected to have far-reaching implications for the state's civil service. It may lead to significant savings for the state and pave the way for more effective management of human resources in the public sector.
The PCACC's efforts to address corruption and inefficiency in the civil service are part of a broader strategy to promote good governance in Kano State. The commission's initiatives have been recognized as crucial in the fight against corruption and the promotion of transparency and accountability in the state's public institutions.
Key points
- Retired civil servants in Kano State have 48 hours to vacate government offices.
- The PCACC will investigate officers found to have received salaries after retirement.
- A confidential whistleblower channel has been established to report cases of retired officers still in service.
