News
Between Civil Service And Retirement Benefits
The condition of service in the civil service is fashioned in a way that the retired civil servant is placed on pension on retirement. Although, if compared to the services at the corporate firms or enterprise, there are notable advantages and disadvantages. Interestingly, as the name implies the civil service and public service operated either as a ministry or parastatals under the federal government, state and local government administrations respectively. It is obvious that without the inputs of the civil servant, the government institution may not have been in existence and would have operated in a vacuum. Civil servants are not only those working directly at the seat of government or at its helm of affairs. For instance, retirement proceedings for those working in government house and its immediate establishments, are treated with urgency to actualise positive results for the affected civil servant. Without controversy, civil servants are the hubs on which the government operates. Both parties reciprocate one another in the discharge of functional activities to move the state forward. Conversely, the treatment accorded contemporaries of civil servants in corporate organisations at retirement is different, for instance, in the civil service, there are two categories of benefit on retirement namely, gratuity and pension. Truly, when a civil servant retires either through the required number of years or old age or death, the total amount of years of service are worked out and monetized paid once to the retiree, while pension continue thereafter for life. Ironically, a lot of retirees have not lived to enjoy the fruits of their labour, primarily because of unnecessary delay for the processing of retirement document even after the stipulated three months in lieu of notice. This ugly situation had led to the formation of Pension Associations in order to facilitate issues affecting the reitirees. Even the first retirement benefit that is the gratuity usually taken a long time to come by. The retiree under go perpetual agony for months or years before being paid the benefit. In the process, some had felt sick and died. At this point, it become more complex and of course, some Where along the line, some case(s) may go into oblivion if there is nobody to follow-up the matter to a logical conclusion. The counterpart in corporate companies enjoys quick attention in relation to the working of their gratuities without much pain. No wonder some civil servants question the rationale behind the delay in the government circle, about the quick release of their retirement benefits. In fact, with the trend of things, the state of the civil service appears bleak if this present recurring decimal continues unabated. It is pertinent that after retirement, the retiree could not accomplish or carry out any meaningful project due to delay in the payment of his/her right, probably at a time when he/she is psychologically, physiologically, socially and mentally incapacitated. However, one began to nurse negative feelings about the civil service, when greater percentage of the life span of a civil servant is spent serving the nation. Nevertheless, civil servants are a political element; however, they cannot be designated as active politicians, even when they rather are very supportive to the political institution. Certainly, during elections, seventy-five per cent of the total vote cast comes from civil servants but later relegated to the background. Summarily, it behoves one to beckon on both federal and state governments in particular to see the civil servants as instrument for the implementation of polices and civil servants who had worked to retirement age should be accorded high programmes of any government in power at federal, state and the third tier, and they should be accorded respect on the retirement. The modalities for the processing of the gratuity and pension benefits should be within the range of three months instead of the agony associated with the delay in releasing their retirement benefits. The welfare of civil servants should be handled with care and the urgency it requires, because they devoted life and energy to serve the nation irrespective of the meager remuneration, unlike their counterparts in corporate companies that receives fat pay as their monthly salary. This would gender them to achieve higher productive while still on active service. Philosophically, it is asserted, “One good turn deserves another.” Therefore, the younger generation are watching with kin interest, how their patriarchs are being treated to which may form major factor in their consideration to take up civil service job as future career. The three-tier government should expedite action now to curb the ugly situation facing retirees in this land flowing with milk and honey. The long history of delay in payment of gratuities, pension to duly retired civil servants should be fast tracked check minimum delay. Ominyanwa, a public affairs analyst, resides in Port Harcourt.
Goddy Ominyanwa
Nigeria’s crude oil production has surged to an 11-month high in May, 2026, with the country exceeding its Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota.
The average crude oil production recorded during the month of May represents 102 per cent of Nigeria’s 1.5mbpd of production quota allocated by the OPEC.
The production report released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), yesterday, disclosed that Nigeria’s oil production averages 1,530,354 barrels of crude oil and 170,446 barrels of condensates per day (bpd).
According to the report, this brings the total combined production to 1, 700, 800 barrels per day and consolidating Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer.
The report said the production performance during the review period remained robust, with combined crude oil and condensate output ranging between a low of 1.51 million bpd and a peak of 1.86 million bpd.
It said the May 2026 production figures represented the highest recorded by Nigeria since July 2025, when output surged to 1,712,282.
“In strict crude oil terms (excluding condensates), the 1.53 million barrels recorded in May 2026 represents the highest Nigeria has witnessed since January 2025 when crude oil production hit 1.538mbpd.
“The latest crude oil production statistics thus represents a 15-month high on a month on month basis, production rose by 2.77 per cent in May 2026 as against 1.48mbpd in April,” it said.
The report said the broader production trend over the last five months had also remained positive.
It said combined crude oil and condensate output increased from 1.48 million bpd in February to 1.54 million bpd in March, 1.66 million bpd in April, and then 1.7 million bpd in May, underscoring sustained growth in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon production levels.
According to the report, among production streams, Bonny Terminal led the pack with a total blend of 293,870 bpd, closely followed by Forcados Terminal at 289,900 bpd, Qua Iboe ranked third with 173,360 bpd, while Escravos Oil Terminal contributed 135,470 bpd.
It said the Odudu (Amenam Blend) completed the top five production streams, accounting for 63,250 bpd during the month under review.
The NUPRC attributes the rise in production to a sustained positive momentum as operations remained stable throughout the reporting period with no significant pipeline or facility outages recorded.
Additionally, all previously scheduled turnaround maintenance activities had been successfully completed, contributing to improved operational reliability and production efficiency.
The House of Representatives, yesterday passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill to establish state police nationwide, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising policing and strengthening internal security.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved during consideration at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Voting commenced after the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, presented the report on the proposal and canvassed support from lawmakers, stressing the need for a more decentralised policing framework to effectively address the country’s growing security challenges.
The exercise was conducted manually, with members raising their hands to indicate their positions. At the end of the voting, 289 lawmakers voted in support of the bill, one member abstained, while none voted against it, reflecting overwhelming bipartisan backing for the far-reaching reform.
The proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture by creating both Federal and State Police formations.
One of the bill’s key provisions amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally establish the Federal Police and the State Police. Under the proposal, the National Assembly would be empowered to prescribe the structure, organisation, administration and powers of the Federal Police, while also providing the legal framework and minimum standards for the establishment and operation of state police services.
The bill stipulates that no state police formation shall commence operations unless it is established by a law enacted by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as complying with national minimum standards prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
It further provides that until a state police force becomes operational, the Federal Police shall continue to exercise policing powers and responsibilities within such states.
In a bid to preserve the autonomy of state police formations and prevent undue federal interference, the bill limits federal intervention in states’ internal security affairs. Under the proposal, the Federal Police may intervene only where there is a complete breakdown of law and order, upon the request of a governor or where a state police force becomes unable to function due to administrative, financial or other operational challenges.
The amendment also proposes significant changes to the police’s appointment and command structure.
Under the amended Section 215 of the Constitution, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, a State Commissioner of Police would be appointed by a governor on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, subject to confirmation by the respective State House of Assembly.
The bill empowers governors to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and the maintenance of law and order. However, where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with accepted policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision shall be final.
The proposal also amends Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”
The passage of the bill by the House represents one of the most far-reaching security reforms contemplated since the return to democratic rule in 1999 and is expected to rekindle nationwide debate on issues relating to funding, accountability, operational control and safeguards against abuse.
With the House’s approval, the constitutional amendment bill will now proceed to the Senate for concurrence. Thereafter, it must secure the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent before becoming part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If eventually enacted, the legislation would usher in a new era of multi-layered policing in Nigeria and could redefine the country’s approach to tackling banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.
The Federal Government has declared today, public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 27 years of unbroken democratic rule.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.
Ajani said that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government.
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the preservation of democratic ideals, rule of law, transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
He assured that the ministry in collaboration with relevant security agencies woulsd continue to take appropriate measures in maintaining and strengthening Nigeria’s internal security.
The minister noted that a secured and stable environment was essential to democracy and national development.
He urged Nigerians to see the holiday as an opportunity for civic reflection.
“As we mark this historic day, every Nigerian is encouraged to remain law-abiding, uphold the institutions that sustain our democracy, and remember that the strength of any democracy lies ultimately in the character of its citizens,” he said.
He also said that June 12 every year remained a significant day in Nigeria’s history in honour of the courage, resilience and sacrifices of Nigerians whose efforts made democratic governance possible.
“Their legacies continue to inform the values and responsibilities of the Nigerian state,”Tunji-Ojo added.
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