Yobe Government Tightens Discipline in the Civil Service
The Yobe State Government has introduced stricter measures to improve discipline, accountability and productivity across its civil service, warning that absenteeism, habitual lateness and unauthorised early departure from duty will no longer be tolerated.
The directive follows unscheduled inspection visits conducted by officials from the Office of the Head of Service to selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as government parastatals, where widespread cases of poor attendance and non-compliance with official working hours were observed.
According to the government, these practices have negatively affected productivity, weakened public service delivery and undermined professionalism within the state’s workforce.
Government Cites Public Service Rules
In a circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service, the government reminded all public servants that they are legally and professionally obligated to observe official working hours, maintain regular attendance and carry out their responsibilities with diligence, commitment and integrity.
The circular noted that absenteeism, persistent lateness and leaving the workplace before the official closing time without authorisation constitute violations of the Yobe State Public Service Rules (PSR 044001 iii) relating to attendance, discipline and commitment to duty.
It stressed that any officer found violating these provisions would face disciplinary measures in accordance with the established Public Service Rules and other relevant regulations.
Permanent Secretaries Directed to Monitor Staff Attendance
To strengthen compliance, the Head of Service directed all Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of government agencies and parastatals to intensify supervision of staff attendance and punctuality.
The directive requires all government institutions to:
Maintain accurate daily attendance records.
Closely monitor staff punctuality and compliance with official working hours.
Establish effective internal monitoring mechanisms.
Take immediate disciplinary action against defaulting officers.
In addition, every Ministry, Department and Agency is expected to submit a monthly report on attendance and disciplinary matters to the Office of the Head of Service within seven days after the end of each month.
Heads of MDAs to Be Held Accountable
The government also placed responsibility on heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, warning that failure to enforce the directive would attract accountability measures.
According to the circular, management teams must immediately initiate disciplinary proceedings against any employee found guilty of abscondment, habitual lateness or unauthorised early departure from duty.
The Office of the Head of Service emphasised that compliance with the directive would be closely monitored to ensure that the standards expected of the state civil service are maintained.
Commitment to an Efficient Public Service
Reaffirming its commitment to reforms in the public sector, the Yobe State Government said it remains focused on building a disciplined, efficient, accountable and service-oriented civil service capable of delivering quality services to residents.
Civil servants were urged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, punctuality and dedication in carrying out their official responsibilities.
The directive was conveyed in a circular signed by the Yobe State Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Shehu, and distributed to all ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals for immediate implementation.
Why the Directive Matters
Public administration experts have consistently identified staff attendance, punctuality and accountability as key indicators of an effective civil service. By enforcing existing Public Service Rules, the Yobe State Government aims to improve institutional efficiency, strengthen public confidence in government services and ensure taxpayers receive better value through a more productive workforce.
With the latest directive, the government has signalled its determination to promote a culture of discipline and professionalism across all levels of the state public service.