Professional membership not compulsory for civil service promotion – Memo

The National Council on Establishments (NCE) has ruled that professional memberships and certifications should not be mandatory for appointment, promotion, or career progression in Nigeria's civil service. This decision was made at the council's 48th meeting, held in Port Harcourt from July 20 to 24, 2026. The NCE emphasized that these memberships should primarily serve to enhance professional proficiency, ethical standards, and continuing professional development.

However, they should not automatically determine an officer's appointment, promotion, or career advancement unless specified in the approved Schemes of Service. The council noted that professional bodies, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, play a crucial role in regulating various professions within Nigeria's public sector.

The council's decision aims to distinguish professional development from mandatory career requirements, ensuring that membership of a professional association is not imposed as a blanket requirement on public servants. This move aligns with the Federal Government's ongoing public service reform program, which emphasizes professionalism, competency development, skills utilization, and improved service delivery.