Controversy deepens as efforts to reverse Accountant-General’s appointment emerge

As a result of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation’s recommendation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have decided to postpone the appointment of Mr. Shelmsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Federation’s new Acting Accountant-General, causing a new wave of discontent in the Federal Civil Service.

The Head of the Civil Service believed that the appointment could only be made when the substantive AGF, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, had finished her terminal leave, according to highly placed sources.

She also allegedly stated that having an acting AGF and a substantive AGF with the former still pending retirement was incorrect.

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It was discovered that Madein, who was taken by surprise when a new AGF was appointed without consulting her, insisted on finishing her required retirement procedures prior to resigning.

Are we being duped into reversing LS Tinubu’s appointment for national growth?

The Head of the Civil Service has been found to have “misled” the President on Federal Government Public Service Rules about retirement procedures, which has already caused stress and some high-level rumblings in the civil service.

The Federal Government Public Service Rules’ Section 120243 was the point of controversy.

It was claimed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation “erroneously” counseled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wait until March 7, 2025, when Madein’s term ends, to name a new AGF.
President Tinubu was “perfectly in order in making the popular appointment,” it was disclosed.

It was also discovered that Mr. Danladi Kifasi, the former head of the Federation’s civil service, had chosen to quit the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari by adopting the same aspect of the public service.

Section 120243 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules states that Madein should have resigned on December 7, 2024.
In order to retire from service, officers must give three months’ notice before to the retirement date.

“Officers should begin the required one-month pre-retirement workshop/seminar at the beginning of three months.”In order to expedite the processing of their retirement benefits, retiring officers are expected to take the appropriate steps to correct their records during the final two months.

Does Tinubu remain in activity on AGF?

We learned that the President halted Ogunjinmi’s appointment due to a recommendation from the Head of the Civil Service, according to a civil service source with extensive information. It is not required that the departing AGF remain in office for the next three months.

“After 35 years, a civil official who is retiring has minimal work to accomplish in their position. Actually, the transfer to a new office occupier should be his or her main focus.

“This sit-tight mentality in public service must be ended by the president. The current situation is that employees are not taking pre-retirement leave. They work to the very end.

The new AGF’s appointment was made without the approval of the departing AGF or the Head of the Civil Service, which is precisely what is occurring in this instance.

The narrative becomes more complex.

The Public Service Rules are being flipped in an attempt to undo Ogunjimi’s appointment.

I believe that some forces wanted to sabotage the President’s selection of Ogunjimi by using civil service regulations because they were unhappy with it. The President’s commitment to due process was already known to them.

Buhari’s Head of Service, Barrister Danladi Kifasi, retired after giving three months’ notice. It takes patience and consistency to avoid nepotism.

Additionally, a former Permanent Secretary stated in a confidential statement: “This is an attempt to overturn the President. This isn’t normal.

“Was the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) not removed despite the fact he has up till August 2025 to complete his second term in office?

“No one can choose a team the President should work with for him.”

How Ogunjimi’s appointment was announced

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 10th appointed Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Mr. Bayo Onanuga said “his appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.”

Onanuga said “in announcing Madein’s successor, President Tinubu ensures a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria’s treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration’s treasury policy reforms.

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“As a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.

“He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting.

In a remark on the appointment, President Tinubu expresses his confidence in Mr. Ogunjimi, saying, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is pivotal to our nation’s treasury management operations. Mr Ogunjimi’s wealth of experience and notable competence will ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital institution as we advance our economic reform agenda.”