Golden Years, Empty Pockets: The Silent Struggles of North East Nigeria’s Retired Senior Civil Servants.
By Muhammad Muhammad Maigari
In North Eastern States, retirement for former senior civil servants is often painted as a time of honor and rest. Yet, behind the veneer of respectability lies a harsh reality: many retired civil servants who once steered state policies, now grapple with collapsed business ventures and financial ruin.
This report uncovers how systemic constraints, poor planning, and restrictive civil service rules have left these once-influential figures stranded in their twilight years.
The Broken Promise of Entrepreneurship:
Retired senior civil servants in North east Nigeria often enter retirement with ambitious business plans, only to face insurmountable challenges. During their careers, they are bound by Public Service Rule 030424 which restricts civil servants to one private business outside their official duties unless it involves farming or agriculture. While intended to prevent conflicts of interest, this rule stifles diversification, forcing retirees to rely on single, high-risk ventures.
A retired permanent secretary in one of the North eastern states shares his ordeal:
“I invested my gratuity in a rice mill, believing agriculture was safe. But irregular rainfall and rising fertilizer costs ruined me. The civil service rules barred me from starting a backup business. Now, I owe creditors millions.”
Similarly , a former Director recounts:
“I opened a private school after retirement. Parents couldn’t afford fees due to the economic crisis. The government’s rule stopped me from diversifying into something smaller, like tailoring. I sold the school at a loss.”
The Civil Service Rule: A Legacy of Limitation
The restrictive Public Service Rule 030424 exacerbates retirees vulnerabilities. While farming is permitted, the region’s climate volatility and insecurity make agriculture a precarious venture.
A retired civil servants explain:
“I tried poultry farming, but Boko Haram stole my birds twice. The rule forbade me from running a transport business on the side. Now, I depend on my children, who are also struggling.”
Some of the state’s governors in the region recent emphasis on “fresh ideas” and “efficient service delivery” for senior civil servants are yet to address post-retirement safeguards . Meanwhile, systemic issues like corruption and poor succession planning further weaken retirees’ prospects. A 2023 report highlighted how political appointees often bypass meritocratic promotions, leaving civil servants ill-prepared for life after service .
Voices of Despair: Retirees Speak Out
Interviews with three retired permanent secretaries reveal a pattern of broken dreams:
“I invested in a maize farm, but drought destroyed three harvests. The civil service rules trapped me I couldn’t even open a small shop. My pension? ₦450,000 monthly. How does that cover diabetes medication and other expenses?” (1st Informant)
“I started a clinic, but couldn’t compete with government hospitals offering free services. The rules barred me from partnering with NGOs. Now, I rely on my late husband’s savings.” (2nd informant)
“I bought two buses for interstate travel. Bandits attacked my drivers, and insurance refused compensation. If the rules had let me diversify into spare parts trading, I’d have a fallback.” (3rd Informant)
Recommendations: A Path to Dignity
- Reform Restrictive Civil Service Policies
Amend Public Service Rule 030424 to allow limited business diversification (e.g., two non-conflicting ventures) for civil servants. A study of Uganda’s model, where permanent secretaries are urged to align with socio-economic transformation goals, offers a template .
- Post-Retirement Financial Training
Mandate pre-retirement workshops on risk management, agro-tech, and cooperative investments. Governments could partner with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to extend micro-pension schemes to retirees .
- State-Backed Agricultural Support
Provide grants for climate-resilient farming (e.g., drip irrigation, drought-resistant seeds) and livestock insurance to mitigate losses from insecurity or climate shocks .
- Anti-Corruption Safeguards
Strengthen oversight on procurement and fund allocation to ensure retirees’ businesses aren’t undermined by systemic graft, as highlighted in Uganda’s recent reforms .
- Succession Planning
There’s need to train middle-cadre staff, ensuring future retirees inherit a functional bureaucracy that supports entrepreneurial growth .
Conclusion
Retired senior civil servants symbolize a broader failure to protect those who dedicated their lives to public service. Their stories are a clarion call for policy reform, financial empowerment, and societal empathy. As one the informants lamented, “We built ministries but forgot to build our futures.” It’s time to rewrite that narrative.
Muhammad Muhammad Maigari is a Yobe-based journalist specializing in governance and economic development. Contact: 08067800348 or muhammadmaigaribaba@gmail.com.
08067800348
muhammadmaigaribaba@gmail.com
