The Federal Government has given civil servants performing human resource functions across ministries, departments and agencies a one-year deadline to obtain approved professional certifications as part of efforts to professionalise human resource management in the Federal Civil Service.

An exclusive circular obtained by The PUNCH from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on Monday showed that officers currently serving in HR-related roles have been granted a 12-month moratorium to acquire recognised certifications or risk becoming ineligible for deployment to key personnel management positions.

The circular, addressed to all ministers, permanent secretaries, and heads of government agencies and parastatals, stated that the directive was issued in furtherance of earlier circulars on the professionalisation of human resource management in the Federal Civil Service.

According to the document, the policy sets out certification requirements, transitional arrangements and conditions for the deployment of administrative cadre officers to human resource roles across the service.

The circular defined HR roles in ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies as positions responsible for workforce planning and recruitment, onboarding, employee records and information management, performance management, career progression, training and capacity development, staff welfare and compensation, discipline, employee and industrial relations, exit management and other duties approved by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

It stated that the OHCSF would only recognise professional HR certifications obtained from approved institutions, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Human Resource Certification Institute and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources.

The document added that other certification bodies may be recognised from time to time, subject to approval by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“A moratorium period of 12 months from the date of this circular is granted to all affected officers to obtain approved HR certifications,” the circular stated.

It added that officers could remain in their current positions or be deployed to HR-related duties during the transition period, provided they present verifiable evidence of enrolment and demonstrate progress toward obtaining certification within six months of the issuance of the circular.

The document further stated that upon the expiration of the moratorium, possession of an approved HR certification would become a mandatory requirement for deployment to human resource roles in HR departments across the Federal Civil Service, the Career Management Office, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Service Welfare Office within the OHCSF, and the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The circular noted that the directive takes immediate effect and directed ministries, departments and agencies to bring its contents to the attention of all affected staff for compliance.

The latest directive is part of ongoing reforms by the Federal Government to strengthen professionalism and improve efficiency in personnel administration across the public service.

In August 2023 and March 2024, the OHCSF introduced policies aimed at professionalising human resource management, a move designed to transform HR functions from a largely administrative responsibility into a specialised profession requiring recognised qualifications and competencies.

The reforms align with global best practices and are expected to enhance workforce planning, talent management, employee development, performance evaluation and succession planning across federal institutions.

Officials say the initiative is intended to build a more skilled and professional human resource workforce capable of supporting the Federal Government’s broader civil service transformation agenda and improving service delivery to Nigerians. (The PUNCH)

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