PERMANENT SECRETARY/ TUTOR-GENERAL: ADVOCACY FOR EQUAL TREATMENT IN ONDO CIVIL SERVICE

By Dupson Collins 17th June 2026

There’s a proverb that says, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. For equity and fairness, this proverb must be applicable by Ondo State Government in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries and Tutor-Generals whenever there’s need to elevate most senior civil servants to the peak of their Career.

Let me commend Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in the appointment of three Tutor Generals in the state but the People’s Governor can still do more. Ondo State has nine Federal Constituencies, Mr Governor would be writing his name in gold if during his tenure, Ondo State produce nine Tutor-Generals, one for each federal constituency.

In Ondo State, MDAs have nothing less than 40 Permanent Secretaries whereas, the state can only boast of three Tutor Generals. Governor Aiyedatiwa can do better, going beyond the latest division of North, Central, and South Senatorial districts.

Equal treatment in the civil service requires that, all senior civil servants are evaluated, promoted, and compensated fairly based strictly on merit, qualifications, and performance, without discrimination based on ethnic group, religion, place of origin, sex, or political opinion.

Under the Nigerian civil service structure, being appointed as a Permanent Secretary (PS) a few weeks prior to retirement is a common way for governments to reward exceptionally meritorious and senior civil servants for their lifetime of service. This recognition provides the official title, prestige, and significantly enhances terminal pension and retirement benefits.

By law, civil servants must retire upon attaining the mandatory age of 60 years or 35 years of active, pensionable service, whichever comes first.

One thing Governor Aiyedatiwa must considered in the appointment of Tutor Generals is that, if a senior civil servant could be appointed Permanent Secretary few weeks to the expiration of his years of service, then, such privilege should be extended to senior ranking teachers or principals due to be appointed Tutor Generals.

Also, Permanent Secretaries appointed weeks to their exit, terminal benefits (gratuity and monthly pension) are calculated based on the salary and emoluments of the Permanent Secretary (GL 17 equivalent), same should be considered for Tutor Generals.

It is an act of disservice to senior ranking teachers to be denied promotion to Tutor Generals position, on the argument that, he or she has few weeks to his retirement.

As we all know, Tutor-General is a top-level civil service role in Nigeria’s state education ministries, functioning at the rank of Permanent Secretary, they oversee public secondary schools, manage teaching staff, and enforce educational policies within their assigned zones.

The position grants highly experienced educators the prestigious rank and benefits of a Permanent Secretary, solving long-standing career stagnation. They advocate for teacher welfare, timely promotions, and direct feedback from the grassroots to state Executive Councils.

As of today, some school Principals in the state are due to be elevated to the Position of Tutor Generals but were denied based on the excuse that, they have few weeks to their retirement and the meager three slots allocated to the Senatorial Districts is another hindrance. Many Principals tend to benefit if Mr Governor increase the slot from three to nine.

This is a wake up call to the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Academic Staff Unions of Secondary School (ASUSS) and All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, (ANCOPSS) and other education stakeholders to begin advocacy for more Tutor Generals and rewarding deserving principals without considering how many weeks or days left for them in service.

We have seen a week and a month Permanent Secretaries, and if is a reward for serving the state diligently, those in teaching profession deserve to be encouraged too. Whatever His Excellency do today, prosperity and history won’t forget him.

One of the Principals in the state that is making teaching profession proud is Akoni Adeniyi Oluyide, the Principal of Oyemekun Grammar School Akure (OGSA), it will be an encouragement and motivation to other principals that diligent, hardwork and honesty pay if only he and other qualified principals are elevated to Tutor Generals before the end of their service years.

Again, I give it to Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, a reformist and lover of education who within the few years in the saddle has invested millions of naira in education sector. Mr Governor has the capacity to change the old narrative of the status quo of three Tutor Generals to nine in Ondo state.

Our Principals and senior civil servants need to be appreciated and considered for promotion and elevation. With a governor that prioritize merit about political consideration, in matter of weeks, joy is coming to the teaching profession.