28/07/2026
WHEN SENIORITY IS SACRIFICED FOR FAVORITISM, THE CIVIL SERVICE SUFFERS AND DIES GRADUALLY
A civil service that no longer respects fairness, transparency, and due process is a civil service that risks losing the trust and commitment of its workforce.
Across many public institutions, there is growing concern that appointments to key positions—such as State Coordinators, Liaison Officers, and other leadership roles—are sometimes influenced by favoritism, personal loyalty, or vested interests rather than objective and transparent criteria. When experienced and qualified senior officers are repeatedly overlooked without clear justification, the message sent to dedicated public servants is both discouraging and damaging.
Seniority should not be the only basis for appointment, but neither should it be ignored. Years of dedicated service, proven competence, institutional knowledge, and commitment to duty deserve meaningful consideration alongside merit and leadership ability.
When transparency is absent, the consequences are severe:
- Staff morale declines.
- Commitment to excellence weakens.
- Institutional memory is lost.
- Confidence in leadership erodes.
- Public trust in government institutions is diminished.
Leadership is a public trust, not a personal privilege. The power to appoint should never become the power to reward loyalty or sideline deserving officers. Every appointment should be guided by fairness, accountability, competence, and the public interest.
Nigeria deserves a public service where integrity is rewarded, experience is valued, and every qualified officer has a genuine opportunity to serve. We must continue to advocate for institutions where justice is not selective, leadership is earned, and no one is denied opportunity because of favoritism.
A fair civil service is not a favour—it is a cornerstone of good governance.
